The future is finding its way into the foundry industry One of the latest printer systems from ExOne has been in operation in the Steel Foundry Division at Doerrenberg Edelstahl GmbH for more than a year now .3D printers and moulds provide numerous advantages for our customers, ranging from shorter lead times and less reworking to improved surface quality and a reduced environmental impact. In contrast to the conventional production of moulds, where the manufacturing of pattern plates or core boxes alone can take several weeks, smaller and mould scan be produced in only a few hours using 3D printing. Our experienced staff process the CAD data provided, considering and incorporating casting requirements. Labeling and the required radii are added. The 3D printer then implements the processed data along with the required machining allowances. Moulds are thus realized fully automatically without time consuming and expensive mould equipment, but purely on the basis of CAD data. Employing the so-called layering manufacturing process, moulds and layers with a thickness of approx. 0.3 mm are repeatedly applied and selectively adhered with a binder. On completion of the printing process, the job box needs to be unpacked and residue has to be removed. Advantages at a glance: no pattern production reduction of delivery time weight reductions of machining allowance considerable improvement of surfaces machining allow ance true to contour by means of CAD construction reduction off laws (gas bubbles) shortening of production time reduction of emissions in casting process possibility of surface hardening in raw cast state possibility of target/actual dimension comparison via scanner.