【AMNews】Chinese metal AM equipment manufacturer Eplus3D has entered a strategic partnership with German precision machining specialist Hofmann CNC, integrating industrial metal additive manufacturing with high-precision CNC processing capabilities. As part of the collaboration, Hofmann CNC has invested in an EP-M300 dual-laser metal powder bed fusion system, building out local manufacturing and application development capacity in Germany.
For Hofmann CNC, adding metal AM represents a natural expansion of its existing production portfolio. With long-standing expertise in precision CNC machining, the company can now combine additive and subtractive processes into a single, cohesive production workflow. Metal AM delivers greater design freedom for complex geometries and application-specific components, while CNC machining delivers tight-tolerance post-processing and surface finishing. By uniting both capabilities under one roof, Hofmann CNC can select the optimal manufacturing method — or a hybrid combination — for each individual customer project. The EP-M300 system forms the technical foundation of this new service offering, extending the scope of technologies the company can deliver to its clients.
The partnership goes far beyond a single machine installation. Hofmann CNC is developing a dedicated application centre where customers and prospects can test Eplus3D’s metal AM technology firsthand and assess its suitability for their own use cases. This on-the-ground presence also deepens Eplus3D and Hofmann CNC’s joint footprint in Europe. Combining Eplus3D’s equipment R&D and process expertise with Hofmann CNC’s practical manufacturing know-how, the two companies can work side-by-side with customers on application validation, technology selection, and the integration of AM into existing production lines. With a strong operational focus on efficiency and sustainability, Hofmann CNC is positioned to grow into a key regional hub for metal additive manufacturing in Germany.
Medical technology is another core focus area for the collaboration. Hofmann CNC already holds proven experience in medical component manufacturing, while Eplus3D’s metal AM systems unlock new design possibilities for complex, customised medical metal parts. Together, the two firms are exploring how the combination of additive manufacturing and precision machining can drive further innovation in medical applications, alongside ongoing opportunity identification across wider industrial manufacturing segments.
For Eplus3D, the tie-up with Hofmann CNC marks another milestone in its expansion in the German market and its alignment with local manufacturing expertise. For Hofmann CNC, the addition of the EP-M300 dual-laser system rounds out its technology portfolio, opening new business potential at the intersection of additive manufacturing, precision machining and advanced industrial production.
