TOP 100
thinkTEC 3D named an innovation champion
Überlingen – Let go of the old and dare the new: Innovative medium-sized companies like thinkTEC 3D GmbH from Grafenau are not afraid of change, but see it as an opportunity. The company thus convinced the 27th round of the TOP 100 innovation competition. thinkTEC 3D officially belongs among the TOP 100 as of June 19. In the scientific selection process, the company was particularly impressive in size class A (up to 50 employees) in the “Innovation Success” category.
As a full-service provider for 3D printing, thinkTEC 3D specialises in additive series production. This TOP 100 company produces complex machine parts, individual orthoses (e.g. bracers and leg braces) and components for the electronics industry, but also unusual things such as gold-plated wardrobe panels.
The top innovator from Grafenau in Bavaria, founded in 2016, presented a world first with its first completely additively manufactured sample case. Engineers and designers can use it to experience, feel and try out the new technology. The possibilities of freedom of form, the representation of complex geometries and the diversity of additive manufacturing are illustrated. It was conceived by the two founders, Roman Weber and Marco Biebl, who today run the company together with Herbert Schicketanz as the third managing director.
The greatest advantage of additive manufacturing is the freedom of shape that is not available with injection moulding or turning and milling. This allows the realisation of highly complex structures that are also extremely light and stable. In addition, the complex construction of production tools is no longer necessary. An assembly that used to consist of ten parts can be designed layer by layer using 3D printing so that you end up with just one component. “Our goal is to establish additive series production in the industry,” says Managing Director Roman Weber.
TOP 100: the Competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding medium-sized companies the TOP 100 seal for special innovative strength and above-average innovation success. Since 2002, the scientific management has been in the hands of Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The TOP 100 mentor is science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar. Project partners are the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the BVMW. Manager magazin, impulse and W&V accompany the company comparison as media partners. More info at www.top100.de.
