The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Dresden has successfully installed a Wayland Calibur 3 system supplied by Huddersfield-based
Wayland Additive, marking the institute’s third facility dedicated to electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) and reinforcing its leadership in advanced additive manufacturing (AM) technologies.
Powered by Wayland’s NeuBeam process, Calibur 3 offers a paradigm shift in electron beam melting. In contrast to conventional PBF-EB systems, NeuBeam enables charge-neutral processing, allowing for greater process stability, easier surplus powder removal, and broader material compatibility, including highly reactive and high-performance alloys.
This significantly expands the range of industrial applications and design freedom. The new system enhances the capabilities of the Innovation Center Additive Manufacturing (ICAM) at Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden. As a leading hub for research and industrial application, the centre combines ‘state of the art’ equipment with deep expertise in powder metallurgy, process design, and materials characterisation.
With the addition of Calibur 3, novel material concepts, resource-efficient fabrication of complex geometries, and the integration of simulation and machine learning to achieve first-time-right production are in the focus of the developments. These core research directions contribute directly to improving sustainability, performance, and digitalisation in additive manufacturing (AM).
Professor Thomas Weißgärber, Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden director, said: “We see Calibur 3 as a major step forward in expanding our research portfolio in next-generation AM. It enables our teams to work on innovative solutions that span from materials development to intelligent process control.”
The installation also marks the beginning of an intensified strategic collaboration between Wayland Additive and Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden. Together, both partners aim to drive joint research, application development, and industrial readiness of NeuBeam-based solutions.
Peter Hansford, chief revenue officer at Wayland Additive, said: “Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden is an ideal partner for advancing the NeuBeam technology platform. Their combined expertise in materials science, simulation, and application engineering is essential for scaling up this technology.”
As AM continues to reshape industrial production across mobility, energy, and medical technology, the joint efforts between Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden and Wayland Additive will help position electron beam-based processes as a key enabler of high-performance, sustainable manufacturing. The installation is financed by the project INNO-EB, supported by the
European Regional Development Fund (EFRE), underlining the strategic importance of future-oriented manufacturing technologies for regional and European innovation ecosystems.