Fried Vancraen

2
Published articles

After finishing a Master in Electro-Mechanical Engineering in 1985, Wilfried Vancraen worked as a Research Engineer and Consultant at the Research Institute of the Belgian Metalworking Industry, which is where he first discovered 3D Printing. Passionate about this new technology and firm in his belief that it could help create a better and healthier world, he started Materialise in July 1990, where he remains CEO to this day. Wilfried holds several patents related to the technical and medical applications of 3D Printing and remains committed to using the technology to make positive changes in people’s lives. In recognition of his work, he was awarded the RTAM/SME Industry Achievement Award in 2011, which is considered the highest honor in the 3D Printing industry.

Recent blog posts

Why Data Security Alone is not Enough for Smart Manufacturing

Fried Vancraen

September 07, 2022

We see the future of manufacturing as multiple digital production sites closer to customers. Learn what’s necessary to make this a reality and the steps we’re taking with our own software platform.

Why Data Security Alone is not Enough for Smart Manufacturing

Fried Vancraen

September 07, 2022

30 Years of Materialise: Top 5 Highlights from the Interview with Fried

Fried Vancraen, Kristof Sehmke

April 29, 2021

Top 5 Highlights from Fried Vancraen Interview

With incremental steps, 3D printing has revolutionized the way we manufacture products and has helped to save lives. This interview between Fried and Kristof Sehmke, our PR Manager, goes over the last 30 years of the company’s story with a look forward to the future. Read on to learn about five highlights from the interview!

30 Years of Materialise: Top 5 Highlights from the Interview with Fried

Fried Vancraen, Kristof Sehmke

April 29, 2021

A New Legacy for AM: Empowering the Choice for Sustainability

Fried Vancraen

November 30, 2020

Materialise HQ office in Leuven, Belgium

The past three decades have seen additive manufacturing mature into an innovation technology. Then, with the COVID-19 global health crisis, the benefits of the technology - making urgently needed products faster and locally - became meaningful in a new way. Now, as we enter the fourth decade of 3D printing, let us look at how innovation can empower sustainability and rethink not just what it allows us to make, but what it makes possible.

Driving Growth in Additive Manufacturing with BASF

Fried Vancraen

July 19, 2018

Driving Growth in Additive Manufacturing with BASF

3D Printing is a revolutionary technology, capable of transforming entire industries and challenging our traditional manufacturing processes. Development of new materials, better and faster machines and increased automation provide new impulses to the 3D printing industry and lead to continued innovation. This has helped to position 3D Printing not just as a prototyping technology but as a relevant alternative and complementary manufacturing technology for final products. As a result, we are seeing increased adoption of 3D Printing among industrial manufacturing companies. Leading manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace and consumer goods industry turn to 3D Printing as they recognize the design optimizations it creates in existing vertical applications and the potential to create new and significant business opportunities in new markets.

Benefits of 3D-Printed Implants

Fried Vancraen

January 16, 2018

What is the added value of 3D-printed implants for the healthcare sector and its patients? And how does it fit into a regulatory framework? This is how Materialise sees it.

The Future Called Reality

Fried Vancraen

February 16, 2017

A Word of Welcome from Fried Vancraen to the Materialise World Summit