By 2019, the global commercial and residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning market will grow to $116.6 billion.

- BCC Research 2014

why heating & cooling

a multitude of solutions ...
​​Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration can be found in all aspects of life, from the air conditioner, fridge and heat pump at home, to refrigerated cabinets at food stores, or large chillers keeping buildings and production facilities cool. HVAC&R solutions are therefore extremely varied, in terms of size, complexity, materials and standards.
... with global importance
​Heating and cooling plays a vital role for human comfort and survival, from keeping our food fresh from farm to fork, to preserving pharmaceuticals, keeping us comfortable and safe while driving, heating our homes or cooling the world's largest data centres. 
... growing fast
​HVAC&R solutions will increase rapidly with a growing mankind and emerging economies aspiring to better living conditions. It will become even more important as a response to climate change. By 2019, only the residential and commercial HVAC market might grow to $116.6 billion, excluding refrigeration.
... connecting to the world
​The HVAC&R industry today strives for higher efficiency in production, distribution and operation, including its move towards Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things. From smart homes to smart city solutions, the HVAC&R industry is challenged to be more integrated, intuitive and personalised. 
... with a strong carbon footprint
​​Heating and cooling has a strong carbon footprint, through the resources used in its production, the energy needed for operating it, or its direct refrigerant greenhouse gas emissions. Alone the 3 billion refrigeration systems worldwide consume 17% of global electricity.
... in need of smarter solutions ​​
​A future-proof HVAC&R industry needs intelligent, efficient solutions that deliver higher customer value at lower environmental impact. Additive Manufacturing will create a head start for those using its current and future potential for shaping a smarter industry.
Additive Manufacturing might even take over from the internet as the technology with the largest impact on the global economy, with a value of $3 to 6 trillion.

- Steve Sammartino, digital entrepreneur & venture capitalist

about AM

Additive Manufacturing, commonly known as “3D Printing”, is often titled as the next "industrial (r)evolution" transforming society's approach to producing, distributing and consuming goods worldwide.

It describes any production technology in which the final piece is built layer by layer in an additive process - different from traditional subtractive methods or moulding / casting. It covers technologies to sinter, melt, fuse, solidify, jet or deposit liquids, powders or solid material into a final object. AM processes use a multitude of materials, including metals, ceramics, sand, polymers, conductive or nano materials. Materials frequently used in industrial processes like stainless steel, aluminium, copper, titanium, iron or silicone are suitable for AM. 

AM is already used in a variety of industries, including in the aerospace and automotive sector; medical applications; consumer products and food; construction & architecture, art & design; and across a growing number of industrial manufacturing processes.
“AM allows you to be innovative in design and the way you develop components and structures (…) It will challenge us to think about the way we design objects.”

- Neil Mantle, Head of ALM at Rolls Royce

why AM for heating & cooling

reduced cost
​AM complements traditional complex tooling, casting or moulding processes with simpler, multifunctional machines able to print on demand. It reduces labour costs, lead times & assembly needs while making simultaneous manufacturing possible. AM today is especially cost-effective for smaller product series and rapid prototyping.
on-demand production
​Easy 3D data exchange for immediate “CAD-to-Part” print reduces supply chain restrictions and dependence on overseas production facilities.  AM also leads to less stock piling and logistics, making it a strong facilitator for reacting flexibly to unstable and/or more individualised market demand. 
faster innovation cycles
​AM moves R&D and production back to innovation hot spots and closer to the final customer. Print of prototypes and final components facilitates customer engagement and the selection of viable products for faster innovation cycles. 
higher performance
​​Through new geometries and material choice, AM can lead to stronger & lighter designs, and longer product operating life. This increases customer satisfaction and the sustainability of production worldwide. AM covers needs along the value chain, from moulds and tooling, to rapid prototyping and product development.
design freedom
​Being largely independent from traditional design constraints, AM allows for a “design for function” to create multi-functional and/or multi-material components and systems with complex geometries. It is an enabling technology for creating products for individual needs, allowing for a strong move towards mass customisation.
environmental benefits
​AM carries high potential for energy efficiency gains, use of renewable energy sources, low to zero waste production and the re-use of materials. A lower total carbon footprint is achieved through localised production, avoiding a large share of logistics. AM is a key enabling technology for creating closed loop economies.
Exploit the full potential of Additive Manufacturing for rapid prototyping, pre-production, tooling, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, after sales, marketing & promotion.
​Discover how re-generate can help you.

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the shape of smart heating & cooling

re-generate supports you to evaluate and optimize the market, technology, process, design, material, cost and environmental potential of Additive Manufacturing ("3D printing") for the HVAC&R industry.

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