The entrepreneurial families Hehl und Keinath, owners of Arburg, have taken over German RepRap GmbH, based in Feldkirchen, in mid-February 2020. Founded in 2010, German RepRap is a manufacturer of industrial 3D systems. With its Freeformer, injection moulding specialist Arburg had a successful entry in the AM market entry in 2013.
German RepRap develops and produces 3D systems based on FFF technology (fused filament fabrication). It was the first company in Germany to introduce a RepRap-based large-capacity 3D printer for professional applications, the x400. In 2016, the company added the innovative and globally unique Liquid Additive Manufacturing technology (LAM) to its portfolio, which allows for materials such as liquid silicone rubber (LSR) to be processed. The new x500pro, which processes engineering plastics such as PC, complements the product range of German RepRap. Arburg said that the technological links are clear to see: The Freeformer works with droplet discharge and standard granulate for individual applications and the German RepRap x500pro works with filament discharge for standard applications. Further developments will include the processing of liquid materials, such as LSR.
German RepRap with its 23 employees will continue to operate as a separate start-up company at its location in Feldkirchen near Munich. Founder and managing director Florian Bautz will continue to run the business and manage sales, application engineering, production and administration activities independently. Arburg said that after the takeover, it will work in close collaboration with German RepRap, drawing on its wide-ranging resources to offer support when asked to do so.