2022 | Always the latest technical state of the art

We start the year right with a number of new machines: We invest in a new FDM system, a new CNC milling machine, and an advanced chemical smoothing process. We keep our machine inventory up to date and at the highest technical level, even for standard processes.

A milestone for our activities in medical technology: FIT Production GmbH has been registered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a contract manufacturer for talus implant blanks made of titanium using the EBM process. 

2021 | Ever smaller, ever more detail

The trend is characterized by the improvement of existing processes. While Robotic FDM and SCA were recently used for enhancing component dimensions, we are now focusing on an ever finer resolution for small series parts. To this end, the innovative SAF process for polyamide components and, in the metal sector, the custom-built system for micro laser melting [Process > Additive Metal] have been put into operation.

A milestone especially for our commitment to the automotive sector is our TISAX listing.

2019 | Innovations

FIT's claim as an AM guide is based on its technological leadership. We are regularly global first adopters for innovative AM technologies, which we practically test and validate in the context of industrial additive manufacturing. The central question here is: To what extent do these offer our customers significant added value to our existing range of processes? A current new acquisition is the first system for cold welding from SPEE3D in Europe. In post-processing, we are investing in a HIP system from Quintus for heat treatment and electrochemical smoothing to improve the quality of 3D-printed components.

FIT is awarded the "Bavaria's Best 50" business prize for the 2nd time.

2018 | More capacities

Due to ongoing technology growth, our first production hall, the first in the world to specialize entirely in additive manufacturing processes, is rapidly becoming too small. The commissioning of the second factory hall with around 4,500 m² of production space and an investment volume of EUR 16.6 million considerably extends our AM Campus. Our customers benefit from these high capacities through adherence to schedules and the rapid fulfillment of large order volumes.

At the same time, the company's own boarding house with 48 apartments is opened. This is a special offer for our employees who have further travel distances, as well as for customers and partners of FIT.

2016 | AM on industrial scale

FIT AG is investing EUR 11.4 million in the world's first factory designed specifically for additive manufacturing, with which we are raising additive manufacturing to industrial scale. The FIT Factory is unique worldwide in terms of manufacturing capacity and automation technology. An entire floor is dedicated to additive manufacturing of metal parts, giving FIT the largest capacity in the metal sector [Process > Additive Metal] today. Another floor is dedicated to the additive manufacturing of plastic parts.

FIT is awarded the business prize "Bavaria's Best 50".

2013 | Focus on serial manufacturing

FIT puts the world's first high-performance systems for laser melting (laser melting or PBF-LB/P) with 4 laser guns from SLM Solutions into operation. This is a breakthrough for our customers, as it significantly increases build rates and production speed and significantly increases productivity. These systems are particularly suitable for industrial use and are an important hardware prerequisite for the additive series production of metal parts, which is gaining a great deal of interest on the market.

2005 | Focus on new industries

The first EBM system for processing titanium is put into operation. Titanium is a material that is difficult to process using conventional methods, but is ideally suited for tool-free production. This opens up the completely new areas of application of medical technology/implantology as well as aerospace.

Certification according to EN ISO 13485 is achieved after a 3-year validation phase.

2003 | Complex serial manufacturing

Rapid tooling is successfully introduced at FIT. Tools for injection molding and elastomer production are all designed and manufactured by us, using a combined routine of milling and laser melting (PBF-LB/P) from steel or aluminum. With the help of these tools, the complex end-use parts made of plastics are manufactured using conventional injection molding or elastomer manufacturing. This combined production method allows even larger series with increased component complexity to be produced at attractive unit prices.

1998 | Freedom of geometry

After initial steps with paper lamination, FIT enters the core business of additive manufacturing using selective laser sintering (SLS or PBF-LB/P) of PA materials. Carl Fruth quickly recognized the potential of this revolutionary process, because the geometry freedom of tool-free manufacturing in a powder bed allows for completely new products. The limits of traditional manufacturing processes can be overcome, as for example undercuts or internal cavities can now be easily 3D-printed. In addition, a wide range of post-processing options are available, so that the process offers immense flexibility for many applications in the field of rapid prototyping, but also for (small) series production.