---
title: "Deutsche Bahn celebrates 10 years of 3D printing"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/deutsche-bahn-celebrates-10-years-of-3d-printing/
date: 2025-12-03
modified: 2025-12-03
lang: en
author: "Edward Wakefield"
description: "Deutsche Bahn (DB), a leader in 3D printing among railway companies, has been using 3D printing since 2015. What began with simple spare parts, like a plastic coat hook, has..."
categories:
  - "Additive Manufacturing"
  - "Automotive AM"
  - "Barcelona"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DB-Tower_DB1687-640x240.jpg
word_count: 339
---

# Deutsche Bahn celebrates 10 years of 3D printing

Deutsche Bahn (DB), a leader in 3D printing among railway companies, [has been using 3D printing since 2015](https://www.voxelmatters.com/all-aboard-a-decade-of-am-at-deutsche-bahn/). What began with simple spare parts, like a plastic coat hook, has now grown into a selection of more than 200,000 parts for more than 1,000 applications. The process enables fast and efficient procurement of spare parts and has already saved more than 20 million euros.

[DB uses 3D printing to produce spare parts](https://www.voxelmatters.com/deutsche-bahn-db-3d-prints-100000th-part/), particularly for the maintenance of trains and locomotives. The range extends from small plastic parts to substantial metal components, such as a 540-kilogram gearbox housing. The components are produced on demand and, thanks to this innovative technology, are quickly available in the required quantities. This saves on storage costs and logistics space, shortens delivery times, and increases independence.

[![Deutsche Bahn celebrates 10 years of 3D printing. The company has a selection of more than 200,000 parts for more than 1,000 applications.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-11-25-3D-Getriebegehaeuse.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-11-25-3D-Getriebegehaeuse.jpg)

[![Deutsche Bahn celebrates 10 years of 3D printing. The company has a selection of more than 200,000 parts for more than 1,000 applications.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-11-25-3D-Hilfsmittel.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-11-25-3D-Hilfsmittel.jpg)

The foundation for this is Deutsche Bahn's Digital Warehouse - a central database for technical drawings of spare parts. It currently contains more than 1,000 virtual models. This allows 3D printing to make a significant contribution to DB's efficiency and sustainability: trains and locomotives can be repaired more quickly and continue operating in the long term. This is especially important when manufacturers or suppliers are unable to deliver essential spare parts or have even ceased production. In such cases, 3D printing provides a fast and straightforward solution.

“With the help of 3D printing, we can literally provide needed spare parts at the push of a button. Our customers benefit from this, as it allows us to get trains back on track faster. At the same time, we support our employees, who can work more efficiently," said Stefanie Brickwede, Head of Corporate 3D Printing Project.

DB uses its own printers and its partner network to manufacture the components. In 2016, the company launched the ['Mobility goes Additive' network](https://www.voxelmatters.com/mobility-goes-additive-call-help-3d-printing-ppe/). More than 140 companies - from users, printing press manufacturers, and printing service providers to universities and startups - collaborate to drive innovation. Various printing processes are used, including material extrusion, powder bed fusion, and binder jetting.