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Shift by layer to success

Large-format 3D printing: From the melody of thought to the concert of realisation — this is how creative polymer was born.

From retrospective to status quo

In this blog post, we embark on a fast-paced journey through our company history — from the initial idea to the current state of affairs. The idea of founding a company in the field of 3D printing sparked our founders at the end of 2016. Inspired by enthusiasm for innovation and technological progress, we launched our visionary endeavor. The birth of ThinKingAdditive Technology GmbH struck at the end of 2019, when we founded the company with the aim of offering metal 3D printing for large-format components using the “laser metal deposition” process.

After a few months of development, we put the first prototype of our large-format metal 3D printer into operation. Our vision was to remove the previous size restrictions of metal 3D printing and create unique components and objects. Some collaborations and feasibility studies for 2020 were already planned and were just waiting for their start signal.

Minor and major hurdles

Unfortunately, not only did our future plans show up at the 2020 party, but also the subversive Miss Coroni (name changed editorially), who, as is well known, brought us all a highly inappropriate souvenir with the COVID-19 pandemic — but we survived!
*Footnote: At this point, we would strongly advise against starting a company four months before the outbreak of a pandemic — that is not a good idea. In addition, significant delivery difficulties and chip crises can significantly dampen sentiment. If cargo ship captains with limited skill also spontaneously block the Suez Canal and an ill-considered despot triggers a global energy crisis through an aggressive war, progress falters faster than the effect of a bar of soap in a clarifier.

That's how we stood there: few assignments, hardly any opportunities to make new contacts, but all the more time to act with foresight and plan for the future! A new plan was needed. With the aim of producing plastic design prototypes for the metal sector, we used the freed up capacities. We knew that this would only cost us a fraction of the costs and would enable us to improve process planning. Basically, we had no choice, because money to procure a large format plastic 3D printer could not be found in our financial plan, which was no longer valid anyway. However, a closer analysis showed that it should be possible to A large format plastic 3D printer With the approximate installation space dimensions of our large metal 3D printer within the remaining budget Build it yourself. No sooner said than done — the result? A first prototype, functional and ready for the next challenges: ThinkBig 1That's how we christened the large-format 3D printer internally, was born!

Our services

01

3D model creation

02

Large format 3D printing

03

Assembly & painting

Project process
The first two prototypes: ThinkBig 1 & ThinkBig 2

What our customers say

What lasts long is finally good

Although, looking back, we initially made a few mistakes on the technical side, at the end of 2020, we were able to put a working 3D printer with the dimensions 1000x1000x2000 mm into operation. In addition to the original idea of producing design prototypes of the planned metal components, we were constantly receiving new inquiries for our newly built large-format plastic 3D printers.

Due to the steadily increasing demand for large-format plastic 3D printing, we decided at the end of 2022 to go under the brand Creative Polymer to present to the market in this division and to press ahead with the development of large-format plastic 3D printers at full speed. After almost 100,000 hours of printing, we will The Fourth Generation at the Beginning of 2024 Start up our printer. Prosperity grumbles the magic word!

The third generation of large-format 3D printers under construction

Progressive, creative & innovative

Our willingness to break creative limits is further filled by every success. We know that the ability to flourish in areas we didn't initially see is the key to sustainable growth and continued excellence. That is why we are committed to constantly evolving, always exploring new horizons and keeping up the torch of creativity.

Our team consists of a young group of technology-loving, creative minds who see large-format 3D printing not just as a job, but as a real passion. Despite the pandemic, we have achieved impressive growth since 2019. At the beginning of 2024, we will move into our Brand new 1400 m² corporate center In Bochum, where we make the ideas of our customers and partners come true with a park of over 30 large format 3D printers.

Creative Polymer's new headquarters are being built here

Always at the Cutting Edge

In a world that is increasingly looking for environmentally responsible solutions, we rely on innovative technologies to offer added value not only to our customers but also to our planet. We will cover almost all of the electricity requirements of our systems with a photovoltaic system, and wherever possible, we prefer to use recyclable material. Eco-friendly and customer-oriented solutions not only enable us to be at the forefront of XXL exhibits, works of art and functional prototypes, but also to make a lasting contribution to environmental responsibility.

Efficiency and speed were and are crucial in the development of Creative Polymer And are therefore part of our DNA. Together with our team and our customers, we are constantly trying to improve and successfully implement projects as quickly as possible.

XXL Confectionary from Large-Format 3D Printing for a Duty-Free Shop

Any more questions?

As we move forward on our journey of growth and innovation, we invite you to be a part of this exciting development. Do you have a vision that goes beyond the ordinary? Contact us and let's open up new dimensions together. With Creative Polymer, your next project is in good hands.

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3D-gedrucktes Messe-Exponat. Sitzbank in künstlerischer Optik aus dem 3D-Druck. 3D-Druck in Übergröße Creative Polymer.

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together

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