CPT International 3/2019

INTERVIEW
“Siemens is a great
industrial partner”
At GIFA, 3-D printer manufacturer ExOne announced a cooperation with Siemens on the
industrialization of 3-D printing. Managing directors John Hartner (USA) and Eric Bader
(Germany) talked with CP+T about the new partnership and the growing importance of
3-D printers in the foundry industry.
Photos: Martin Vogt/BDG
Core and mold makers still use the classic
methods of core shooting and molding
machines. What development has
the branch taken since ExOne and
other companies came up with core
and mold printing?
John Hartner: The conversion of industry
is based on market factors and
things we can do to accelerate those
market factors. One part of this is that
customers come up with more complex
designs and they need to achieve these
designs more rapidly. Thus the complexity
of 3-D printing – and you get it for
free – is one thing driving the 3-D printing
market. The accelerating speed of
the machines is also going to drive the
market. Furthermore, we will continue
to bring down the cost of ownership.
Our new machine is the best example of
that. It has the same price but is up to
30 per cent more productive. I spend a
big part of my business life in the semiconductor
and electronics industry.
Every year we have had to deliver more
for the same price or less. The additive
manufacturing business is going to
become like that.
Eric Bader: I agree. Bringing down the
cost of ownership helps make the technology
affordable and to see it practically
in daily life. Not just for prototyping,
but with these complex structures
it helps start the production of small
series. And it should move to larger
series production.
Do you expect that serial production
with your machines will be possible
one day?
John Hartner: Yes we do, there are
customers that have already started
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