3D Extrusion Printing Cut Pipe Component Costs by 50%
Manufacturers targeting low-volume production can now leverage variable-nozzle extrusion to reduce lead times and expenses.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Herrmann Additive has utilized its proprietary variable nozzle 3D extrusion printing process since 2025 to produce large-scale industrial components. The company has successfully printed over 5,000 kg of material for customers needing alternatives to traditional, tooling-intensive manufacturing.
Why it matters
The company targets businesses that lack the scale to justify expensive, tooling-based processes, allowing for cost-effective production of large, one-off, or low-volume parts. By utilizing variable nozzles, operators can bridge the gap between high-speed structural printing and detailed finishing.
Herrmann Additive achieved a 50 percent cost reduction on a 205 kg pipe elbow compared to conventional production methods. The firm has processed over 5,000 kg of material total since its business model launched in 2025.
The players
Herrmann Additive
An industrial manufacturing firm specializing in large-scale additive production and variable nozzle 3D extrusion technology.
The details
The firm utilizes Queen 1 systems equipped with variable nozzles capable of switching between 1.5 mm and 3 mm settings to handle both high-speed structural work and fine-detail finishing. Printing instructions are defined during the design phase and validated via simulation to manage production speeds up to 500 mm/s. Output ranges from 150 to 2,000 g/h, allowing the system to produce components like a 1.3 m inspection fixture in under 24 hours.
Timeline
Herrmann Additive established its current business model in 2025.
A fifth Queen 1 printing system is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
This development follows the broader industrial shift away from tooling-heavy manufacturing toward high-speed additive alternatives for low-volume production. It represents an extension of digital fabrication capabilities previously dominated by smaller-scale or prototyping-focused systems.
Operators currently relying on expensive, volume-dependent tooling should assess whether their low-volume parts could be printed with comparable tolerances and lower capital overhead. Consider the impact of variable-speed extrusion on your lead times when evaluating new production partners.
The takeaway
Large-scale 3D extrusion offers a viable cost-reduction strategy for components that do not require the scale of traditional tooling. Operators should track the print-time-to-cost ratio for custom fixtures and hardware to determine when additive manufacturing becomes the more efficient path.
What happens next
The company expects to increase its production capacity by adding a fifth Queen 1 system by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more on industry-wide trends, explore the Manufacturing section.
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