Aconity3D’s Yves Hagedorn on Empowering Metal 3D Printing Innovation

Adopting metal 3D printing can be daunting: you must develop new applications, qualify materials, and master complex processes. German firm Aconity3D tackles these hurdles by offering modular, open‑architecture laboratory metal 3D printing systems that let customers experiment with process parameters and explore new applications.

In this expert interview, Managing Director Yves Hagedorn explains why hardware flexibility matters, the role of design software, and the future of additive manufacturing (AM).

What is Aconity3D?

Aconity3D delivers every component needed for metal additive manufacturing. From specialized machine parts to interchangeable modules, we build systems tailored to specific applications because a single solution can’t cover the entire market.

Our customer journey begins with consulting: we assess feasibility—e.g., can a customer 3D print magnesium? We research material sources, test processing viability, and, if successful, act as a job shop to produce the part. Over time, customers may purchase the custom equipment we’ve designed for their application.

This approach lets clients extend the range of qualified materials and conduct efficient research—free from software constraints and hardware limitations.

While equipment sales are our core business, we strive to be a one‑stop shop for all AM needs.

Why was Aconity3D founded?

We identified a market gap: no system offered full hardware access and tunable parameters to extend material scope, productivity, or accuracy. The solution? Provide customers with the tools to fine‑tune their process—an idea that birthed Aconity3D.

Which industries benefit most?

AM’s versatility means nearly every sector can gain from our solutions. For instance:

• Medical: titanium and bioabsorbable magnesium implants, sensor integration.
• Aerospace: high‑temperature alloys, novel plating materials.
• Automotive: cost‑effective, lightweight components.

Our high flexibility lets us eliminate unnecessary features, keeping costs competitive with traditional manufacturing.

When is metal 3D printing optimal?

Small, complex parts and novel material combinations—such as copper‑chromium alloys—are prime candidates. Dental restorations and eyewear frames already show cost advantages over milling.

However, most applications still face a cost challenge. The key is to conduct rigorous part screening and build a clear business case that accounts for lifecycle costs, including functional integration benefits like embedded cooling channels.

Key challenges and solutions

Design and data preparation remain the bottleneck. Standardization is limited: each system uses distinct data formats, and design guidelines lag behind the flexibility AM offers. This often leads to weeks of preparation for a part that prints in days.

We tackle this by offering open‑architecture hardware that integrates seamlessly with diverse software, and by sharing best practices that reduce preparation time.

Customer success stories

Our clients have achieved FDA‑approved titanium implants, produced magnesium parts for medical use, and scaled up high‑productivity laser systems for automotive customers. We also enable high‑temperature preheating for advanced tool steels, titanium aluminides, and nickel‑based superalloys.

AM industry outlook

After a decade of hype, the field has matured. Real industrial adoption now hinges on expertise, standardization, and reliable processes. We see growth in training, knowledge sharing, and the development of industry‑ready solutions.

Exciting developments

We focus on in‑process monitoring and control: leveraging optical sensors and high‑speed cameras to capture melt‑pool dynamics, then applying closed‑loop adjustments to laser power for immediate defect mitigation. This capability represents the next leap toward smarter, more reliable AM systems.

Partnership with Aerosint

Aerosint’s dual‑material powder deposition technology enables true multi‑material printing. By adjusting process parameters for each material on the fly, we unlock new design possibilities—graded materials, complex tooling, and stress‑shielding‑reduced implants.

Future directions

We will broaden material coverage, support niche applications, and deepen expertise in series production. Our mission remains to empower customers to innovate, from material qualification to final production.

To learn more about Aconity3D, visit: aconity3d.com