Improving the world with 3D printing

Dr Henning Zeidler

A friendly-looking octopus is the logo of the new company that Dr Henning Zeidler founded together with a physicist in July 2016. Now, the octopus would also be a good advertising symbol for an ink manufacturer. But an AMtopus wants even more. 3D printing processes are to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Company founder and scientist Dr Henning Zeidler explains how this works in our maker interview.

The company AMtopus has been around since July 2016. What are you working on?
Dr Henning Zeidler: We want to use renewable raw materials in additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing. 3D printing processes mainly use metals or plastics. We are looking for alternatives and want to strengthen factors such as sustainability, added value and recycling. For products that only have a short lifespan anyway, such as packaging, it is worth using bio-based, renewable materials that can also be easily composted.

Does that make you a mechanical engineering company?
In a certain sense, yes. On the one hand, we develop the process and ultimately also the machines to produce sophisticated components using renewable raw materials. For example, we have to adapt the machines to be able to process these materials. The printing speed can also be significantly increased. Another idea we are working on is the post-treatment of additively manufactured components. We want to improve the surfaces. These are usually very rough in additive manufacturing. One of our partners has developed an environmentally friendly process that does not use acids for polishing.

Additive manufacturing refers to a production process in which components are manufactured layer by layer and are not milled or sawn as is usually the case. The first two letters of AMtopus are also derived from this term, or rather its English origin additive manufacturing.

Which materials are conceivable for the manufacturing process?
There are many possibilities. They can be materials such as wood or reed, but also something like shell limestone. The New Zealanders, for example, have a lot of it and are looking for a sensible use for it. It can also be rice husks, the husks of rice grains, which are produced in large quantities and have to be disposed of anyway.

How did you realise that the topic had enough potential to found a company?
Research has now reached the point where the foundations have been laid and the feasibility has been proven. But there is still a bit missing to actually realise the idea. Operating the machines quickly, stably and efficiently is just as much a task as testing other materials. But I have already seen that if you put a little more energy and time into it, it can become a business idea. And of course we have spoken to many companies in advance that are interested in such a process. If everything works out, we will realise the first major project in the packaging sector.

The company is now Dr Henning Zeidler's third mainstay. He currently works full-time as a research assistant at the Chemnitz Chair of Microfabrication Technology. He is an honorary member of the board of the Beckmann Institute, an industrial research association in Chemnitz that aims to strengthen the links between science and industry. This combination of tasks and commitment has its advantages. "There is a great deal of knowledge here on site. And the network really helps you move forward," says Dr Zeidler. The business idea has also convinced the local experts. In November 2016, the company received the "Start-up package for company founders", a start-up grant from Chemnitzer Wirtschaftsförderungs- u. Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH CWE, Technologie Centrum Chemnitz GmbH, Volksbank Chemnitz e.G. and C³ - Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH.

Why did you choose the start-up building on the Smart Systems Campus as your company headquarters?
The proximity to the university is of course a great advantage. When a room became available at just the right time, we gave ourselves a jolt and founded the company. True to the motto: That's what we should do!

Do you have any competitors? Is it possible that someone is faster than you?
That can happen. We've been working on the topic of renewable raw materials for five or six years. Back then, it was a completely niche topic. That has changed in the past two years. The topic is now coming up more and more often. And other scientists are also trying out the use of wood for 3D printing. We still have the lead time. And of course we want to use it.

Have you always wanted to start your own company?
I already founded a company during my studies to earn some money on the side. So the formalities, such as VAT returns etc., didn't put me off. Now we want to try out whether our idea is really feasible.

As a native of Karl-Marx-Stadt, you started your academic career at Chemnitz University of Technology. Did you consciously want to stay in Chemnitz after school?
The story of why Chemnitz is actually quite funny. I originally wanted to study law in Leipzig. I had already been accepted, although the entry requirements with numerus clausus are not so easy. And then I changed my mind just before I started studying. I had met some Leipzig law students who told me how overcrowded the university was and under what conditions they were studying. So I looked for other subjects. I could well imagine studying a technical subject. But I didn't want to study pure mechanical engineering or become an electrical engineering nerd. (laughs) And then I discovered the Microtechnology / Mechatronics degree programme, which is very application-oriented and provides a good overall view. That was only available in Chemnitz and Aachen in 1998. So it wasn't a difficult choice.

What convinced you to stay here after your studies?
Chemnitz has developed enormously during this time. There is somehow this self-imposed obligation not to speak too highly of your city. But a lot has really happened. Both in the cityscape and in the economy. Just look at how the campus has grown over the past ten years. Chemnitz is still not so big that it's anonymous. I think this mixture in between is good. If you want to, you know a lot of people. And if you don't want to, you can have your peace and quiet.

What do you want to have achieved with your company by 2025?
Ideally, our company will have grown. Our products are on the market and make the world a little better.

Where will Chemnitz be?
I think it would be good for Chemnitz to become more international. When I give a presentation abroad, I always have to explain a lot about where Chemnitz is and what makes the city special. I then place Chemnitz between Berlin and Prague, which tells people something. I would wish the city more positive attention, it deserves it.