Design as a key success factor in additive manufacturing of metal parts – Interview with Thomas Gruber from Trivion

Austrian company Trivion specialises in additive series manufacturing of titanium and polymer parts, covering the entire process chain in-house. Originally launched as a research and development project within the Umdasch Group, Trivion was bought out in late 2023 by Moritz Rainer, Wolfgang Erhart, and Thomas Gruber, and re-established in Gröbming. In an interview with 3Druck.com, co-founder and CEO Thomas Gruber explains why complex designs are the key success factor in additive series manufacturing of metal parts.

Trivion focuses on optimising and automating established technologies in additive manufacturing. The company covers the entire process chain internally, from design and optimisation through CNC post-processing to surface coating. This comprehensive control over production ensures the highest quality standards and precise implementation of customer requirements.

A key part of Trivion’s philosophy is close collaboration with technology providers and material manufacturers. By using innovative materials and advanced manufacturing methods, the company offers customised solutions. Particularly, the series production of titanium parts, one of the company’s specialties, opens up new possibilities for high-strength yet lightweight components.

Trivion emphasises practical research and continuous development. This is also reflected in the consulting and training of designers and developers who benefit from extensive expertise in additive manufacturing. This positions the company as a strong partner for the digital transformation of industrial production.

Interview with Thomas Gruber

Thomas Gruber, co-founder and CEO of Trivion, comes from a mechanical engineering background and discovered his passion for 3D printing and additive manufacturing in 2015. Since then, he has been fascinated by the technology and the innovative products it creates, making it a central part of his professional career.

In an interview with 3Druck.com, he discusses the economic viability of additively manufactured metal parts, as well as his role as a board member of the AM Austria technology platform, where he is particularly committed to training the next generation of technicians.

One of Trivion’s core competencies is the series production of titanium parts. What factors should be considered when deciding whether additive series manufacturing of such parts is economically and technically viable?

As with any additive manufactured part, my personal rule for titanium parts is: if a part can be produced by other means, it will generally be more economical. For additive manufacturing with metal to be economically viable—regardless of the material—the parts need to have a certain level of complexity. Our customers come from industries such as sports, medicine, and defence, where we find that the parts are only realisable and economically viable through additive manufacturing. The design remains the decisive success factor!

Which new technologies in industrial 3D printing do you see as particularly promising, and how does Trivion plan to integrate them into future projects?

For us, it’s less about entirely new technologies and more about process reliability and the automation of proven technologies like SLM and SLS. We are moving away from a manufacturing model toward production, which is exciting for both us and our customers, as it significantly reduces per-part costs. At the same time, we remain open to new technologies—multimaterial in the metal sector is particularly exciting for me.

What are your specific goals as a board member of the AM Austria technology platform to strengthen the additive manufacturing sector in Austria?

We are currently seeing a strong consolidation phase in the market worldwide, from equipment manufacturers to service providers—it’s fair to say that these are challenging times in the AM sector. However, through close collaboration in the network, additional partnerships, and mutual exchange, we at AM Austria can actively counteract this. A crucial piece of the puzzle, in my view, is training the next generation of technicians in this field—there is still much to be done, and I am committed to supporting this development!

Which sectors in Austria do you see as particularly promising for the implementation and further development of additive manufacturing in the coming years?

In my opinion, the spare parts market in the mobility sector is already on the right track. Where tools for small series were acquired just a few years ago, obsolete parts are now often printed.

Find more information about Trivion here.