November 29, 2025, 7:11 am | Read time: 2 minutes
For a decade, Deutsche Bahn has been using 3D printing technology to manufacture spare parts–with great success. The company has not only significantly reduced repair times but also achieved substantial savings. More than 200,000 self-printed components are now in use.
According to Deutsche Bahn (DB), it has been using 3D printing for ten years to produce spare parts and special tools. The goal is to repair trains and locomotives faster and keep them in service longer. The technology is particularly advantageous for parts that are no longer available or produced. Delivery times, which used to average ten months, can now be reduced to about two months.
3D Printing Saves Time and Costs
Currently, more than 200,000 printed spare parts are in use at Deutsche Bahn. Production is demand-driven, allowing the company to reduce storage and logistics costs. A specially created database already includes over 1,000 model templates.
According to Stefanie Brickwede, head of the 3D printing project at the company, the process enables quick availability: “With 3D printing, we can literally provide needed spare parts at the push of a button.” This benefits not only passengers but also makes employees’ work easier. By 2030, around 10,000 different components are expected to be digitally recorded.
Diverse Printing Methods in Use
The railway uses twelve different methods for printing, including metal, plastic, and sand. The range of manufactured parts includes everything from a 540-kilogram gearbox housing to handrail signs with Braille, as well as tablet holders, drilling templates, covers, and coat hooks.
Deutsche Bahn manufactures some components in-house but also collaborates with a broad network of partners. As part of the “Mobility goes Additive” initiative, more than 140 companies cooperate with the corporation–including printing machine manufacturers, universities, and startups.
As of the current status, Deutsche Bahn has saved around 20 million euros through the use of 3D printing by November 2025. This saving is primarily due to the faster and more efficient provision of spare parts.