Voices of the stakeholders
Interview with Lars Friedrich
Managing director of HAVLAT GmbH, Zittau
What tasks and goals do you pursue as the managing director of HAVLAT GmbH?
We are a purely business enterprise, d. H. We manufacture parts for our customers, thus generating sales and at the same time creating jobs. At the same time, we are actively involved in innovation management. For example, the possibility of 3D metal printing and the use and addition in production are examined here. In addition, an investment package has been started which examines and supports the current state of the art. This means that investments are made in machines, software solutions and automation technology to guarantee customers stable capacity utilization.
What perspectives and special fields of application do you see for 3D printing in the future and where can AMiCE play a supporting role?
It is important to show the customer base the advantages of 3D printing. The weight and speed savings, freedom of geometry and combination of materials can be motivating. From the range of parts available in the HAVLAT, I see great potential in the hybrid design as well as 3D metal printing. There is also interest in plastic 3D printing in order to test the new technology and its possibilities, for example in the production of visual objects.
Which approaches and fields of cooperation are of particular interest to you?
In principle, working in the network is of interest to me, in which the machines can be used with several actors and can support the network of AMiCE. The know-how can be shared, regional players can be networked and the machine can be utilized to capacity.
Do you pursue the material cycle approach in your company?
More than 90% of our waste consists of metal shavings, which are recycled by recycling companies and then melted down and used further. Thus, the cycle is secured and residual waste is returned to the steelmaking industry again.
Where do you see opportunities for better support of the research field as well as approaches of new fields of cooperation?
Together with universities and institutes, I see opportunities for cooperation in the context of metal 3D printing, d. H. For example, cooperation in test laboratories and, as a result, surface treatment by means of materials technology or technical mechanics options.
The interview was conducted by Marlen Krause.
