The VOCUS GmbH was awarded first place at this year’s BRE3D Award 2026. The prize was awarded for the project:
“Exhaust component– an EASA-certified 3D-printed metal component”
The project demonstrates how additive manufacturing is already being successfully applied today in safety-critical aviation applications. Together with industry partners, VOCUS developed a metallic slide piece for high-temperature exhaust systems in aircraft, which was produced using additive manufacturing and successfully certified.
BRE3D Award 2026 for additive manufacturing with aviation certification
Particularly noteworthy is the combination of:
- additive manufacturing of metal components,
- digital process chain,
- quality assurance,
- traceability,
- as well as regulatory aviation certification.
The project demonstrates that modern 3D printing technologies go far beyond prototyping and are increasingly being adopted in regulated industries such as aviation.
Innovation with practical relevance
The award-winning component is already in operational flight service. The goal of the project was to develop a durable, reproducible, and cost-efficient solution for a highly stressed component. At the same time, it demonstrated how supply chains can be made more resilient and flexible through digital manufacturing.
BRE3D Award 2026
The BRE3D Award was presented at ECOMAT Bremen. A total of 23 projects from research, industry, education, and practical applications were submitted. The jury particularly recognized the project’s level of innovation and industrial relevance.
VOCUS sincerely thanks all participants and partners – especially Materialise – as well as WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen and the jury of the BRE3D Award.
Photo credit: VOCUS, Materialise and vncy / Ismael Meisinger
