3-D-Druck-Spezialist/3-D-Druck-Spezialistin

Relevant publications for this profession include AUTOCADCAD News, Computerwoche, Der Konstrukteur, einstieg informatik, GAK - Gummi Fasern Kunststoffe, ingenieur.de, KEM Konstruktion, KM Kunststoff Magazin, Kunststoffe, K-ZEITUNG, and Produktion - Technik und Wirtschaft für die deutsche Industrie.

Smart materials, produced using 4D printing methods in the future, are expected to react to their environment (light, temperature, or magnetic fields) and change their shape. For instance, liquids might solidify in a magnetic field, plastics could fold upon contact with moisture, or shape-memory metal workpieces might revert to their original form at a specific temperature. Potential applications include automotive development, medical and textile technology, architecture, and aerospace. Professionals in these fields will need to familiarize themselves with these developments. Augmented Reality applications also facilitate maintenance and repair work, especially for drive and control systems in automotive, aircraft, and mechanical engineering. Mobile devices like tablets, smartphones, or smart glasses are used for this purpose.

3D printing specialists typically work in workshops, production halls, or office spaces. They may also work from home or remotely if needed.

Core competencies generally required for this profession include: 3D printing, applying CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems, development, manufacturing technology, machine and plant setup, machine and plant operation/control, machine technology, quality inspection, and quality assurance. Additional competencies that may be important for this profession are: 4D printing, work preparation, planning operational resources, hybrid controls, adjustment, construction, customer consulting and support, customer service, measurement, control, and regulation technology (MSR), physical measurement and testing procedures, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and material technology.

3D printing specialists independently undertake technical or organizational tasks in the new development, optimization, manufacturing, or maintenance of 3D printing systems. This requires a meticulous working style, technical understanding, and analytical thinking. They diligently check printing processes or the dimensioning and function of manufactured parts, thereby ensuring quality. If malfunctions occur in additive manufacturing systems, they must react quickly and decisively. They skillfully handle the post-processing of manufactured parts and the repair of systems and devices. 3D printing specialists work in the office on computers when, for example, creating designs for print templates with CAD programs. In workshops or production halls, they deal with technical machines and systems, particularly 3D printing systems. These can cause noise and present varying working conditions depending on the printing process.

3D printing specialists can become self-employed, for example, by founding or taking over a company specializing in additive manufacturing.

Example monthly gross basic salary (according to collective agreement): between 4,004 € and 4,525 €. Source: Tariff collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs. Note: This information is for orientation purposes only. No claims can be derived from it.

Specific industries for this profession include: Mechanical engineering, toolmaking (manufacture of all other machinery for specific economic sectors n.e.c., manufacture of machines for additive manufacturing, installation of industrial machinery and equipment, repair and maintenance of machinery). Plastics, rubber, vulcanization (manufacture of plates, sheets, tubes, and profiles from plastics, manufacture of other plastic products n.e.c.). Ceramics (manufacture of ceramic products for other technical purposes, manufacture of other ceramic products n.e.c., manufacture of insulators and insulating parts from ceramics). Chemistry (manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.). Glass (manufacture, finishing, and processing of other glass, including technical glassware). Medical technology, orthopedics, dental technology (dental laboratories).

Employers often expect an engineering Studium (university degree) or an Ausbildung (vocational training) or Weiterbildung (further training) in mechanical engineering, metal, plastics, ceramics technology, or other production areas.

Relevant Studium (university degree) fields for this profession include: Mechanical engineering (undergraduate), mechanical engineering (postgraduate/advanced), plastics technology (undergraduate), plastics technology (postgraduate/advanced), ceramics and glass technology (undergraduate), ceramics and glass technology (postgraduate/advanced), materials science (undergraduate), materials science (postgraduate/advanced), production engineering (undergraduate), production engineering (postgraduate/advanced), product development (undergraduate), product development (postgraduate/advanced), chemical engineering (undergraduate), chemical engineering (postgraduate/advanced), mechatronics (undergraduate), mechatronics (postgraduate/advanced), battery technology (undergraduate), battery technology (postgraduate/advanced).

3-D Printing Specialists find employment in companies that manufacture 3-D printers and additive manufacturing systems, in machine and tool construction companies, and in manufacturing businesses across various economic sectors, such as the metal, plastics, or dental industries.

3-D Printing Specialist. Common job titles/synonyms include: Service Technician - 3-D Printing, Service Technician - Additive Manufacturing, Technician - 3-D Printing, Technician - Additive Manufacturing. English job titles are: 3D Printing Engineer, 3D Printing Technician, Additive Manufacturing Engineer, Additive Manufacturing Technician.

3-D Printing Specialists develop and produce systems for additive manufacturing, and they manage and monitor 3-D printing processes.

3Dnatives

Association of German Printing Engineers (Verein Deutscher Druckingenieure e.V. (VDD)).

Work with technical devices, machines, and systems (e.g., 3-D printers, additive manufacturing systems). Manual work (e.g., with tools, testing, and measuring devices during machine and equipment maintenance). Screen work (e.g., designing 3-D printing templates using CAD programs). Wearing protective clothing and equipment (e.g., lab coats, and for certain tasks, gloves or respiratory protection). Work in workshops, factory/production halls. Work in office spaces. Work amidst smoke, dust, gases, vapors (e.g., fine, potentially flammable dusts released during additive manufacturing). Work with lubricants (oil, grease) (e.g., during the maintenance of particularly sensitive parts of 3-D printing systems). Work under the influence of odors (e.g., printing with chemical materials or plastics at high temperatures). Work under noise (e.g., from operating 3-D printing machines). Handling chemicals (e.g., producing and using chemical materials for printing). Shift work.

Products, e.g.: components for machines and systems, cars, or toys; dental plastics. Machines, technical equipment, and accessories, e.g.: additive manufacturing systems and devices, 3-D printing devices. Materials and auxiliary substances, e.g.: powdered, molten, and liquid materials made of metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, concrete, or food products. Software, e.g.: CAD programs, design and drafting software. Documents, e.g.: 3-D printing models and templates, manufacturing instructions, design drawings, installation, and maintenance plans. Office equipment, e.g.: PC, internet access, telephone.

3-D Printing Specialists develop additive manufacturing products and solutions from concept to series production. To do this, they analyze, develop, and optimize 3-D printing technologies and materials. In manufacturing, they design 3-D printing templates and models on the computer. They prepare the printing systems, set up machines, and load them with materials. During the printing process, they regularly check print quality and monitor machine function. 3-D Printing Specialists clean and maintain the printing systems and perform repairs.

Assistant for Mechanical Engineering Technology; Industrial Master (Industriemeister) (specializing in Chemistry, Ceramics, Plastics and Rubber, Mechatronics, Medical Technology, Metal); Mechatronics Technician; Production Technologist; Certified Process Manager - Production Technology; State-Certified Technician (Staatlich geprüfter Techniker) (specializing in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Operations Technology, Chemical Engineering (without focus), Precision Engineering) / Bachelor Professional in Technology.

Adaptation training (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps keep professional knowledge current and adapts it to new developments (e.g., in mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, CAD, plastics science). Furthermore, trends such as the production of intelligent materials using 4-D printing, the use of augmented reality applications for maintenance and repair, or predictive maintenance could become important further training topics for 3-D Printing Specialists.

Depending on your professional background, further professional and career opportunities arise through advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) (e.g., as a technician specializing in mechanical engineering or machine construction technology) or an undergraduate or postgraduate university degree (Studium) (e.g., in chemical engineering). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to pursue a university degree (Studium) without a school-based higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual federal states (Bundesländer).

Develop and manufacture 3D printing systems. Develop and design machines, systems, and facilities. Develop and set up production processes. Implement, install, and commission systems and facilities in industry. Advise customers and instruct them on the operation and maintenance of systems. Prepare 3D printing. Design 3D printing templates and computer models. Produce, select, and integrate 3D printing materials and raw materials into the system. Select additive manufacturing machines and systems, adjust systems and functions. Conduct functional tests to assess material properties and process reliability. Perform and monitor 3D printing processes. Implement quality assurance measures, regulate machine settings if necessary. Inspect manufactured parts, rework plastic and metal parts if necessary. Clean, maintain, and service 3D printing systems. Maintain machines, systems, and facilities. Identify and rectify errors and malfunctions. Defective components and [text cut off].

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only cover partial activities of the original profession; others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of 3D Printing Specialist: Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually short induction): Mechanical Engineer. Product Developer. State-certified Technician in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Development Technology / Bachelor Professional in Technology. State-certified Technician in Mechanical Engineering, [text cut off].