Construction of an Incandescent Lamp using Additive Manufacturing and Printed Electronics
The Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) is a public institution within the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). The FAPS chair won the "Best Freestyle Demonstrator" award at the OE-A Competition, with the award being given for a fully additively manufactured light bulb developed at FAPS.
The demonstrator, developed utilizing their Pictures by PC CAD/CAM software from Schott Systeme GmbH, showcases the combination of additive manufacturing with printed electronics and illustrates how modern manufacturing processes can be used to create customizable products. By applying electronics directly onto 3D-printed structures through additive processes, the need for traditional circuit boards is eliminated—resulting in simplified assembly, more compact products, and unparalleled design freedom. At the same time, efficient material usage supports more sustainable and resource-conscious manufacturing.
At the core of the solution is a purpose-built software application called “Motion 3D” powered by Pictures by PC’s open programming environment, designed to seamlessly automate and optimize the entire production workflow. As demonstrated in the video below, the system integrates circuit trace and pad printing, precision curing, automatic offset measurement for dispensing, adhesive application, and high-accuracy SMT pick-and-place assembly into one streamlined, end-to-end process—delivering exceptional efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability.
“We are thrilled with the range of functions and possibilities that Pictures by PC offers in the field of CAD and CAM. Thanks to its open source nature, we can expand the software ourselves, for example to include CAM blocks and postprocessors for new manufacturing processes. This is ideal for the changing requirements and projects in research.” - Markus Ankenbrand, FAPS institute
