3D-Werkstätte für Metallverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG is an independent company within the IMA group, based in Aßlar. On around 9,000 m², the team produces metal components for trade fair construction, shopfitting and display construction - from 3D engineering through laser cutting, bending and welding to powder coating, full assembly and logistics. Capabilities include laser cutting up to 20 mm material thickness and powder coating of large components up to 6 m in length and 2 tonnes in weight. The close integration of woodworking, metal fabrication and surface finishing expertise enables projects to be realised within a seamless end-to-end manufacturing process.
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What is 3D-Werkstätte für Metallverarbeitung?
3D-Werkstätte für Metallverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG is a family-run, full-service sheet metal manufacturer based in Aßlar. The company is part of the IMA group and located on the same site as IMA International.
At the IMA site in Aßlar, on around 9,000 m² of production and storage space, a team of technicians, designers, engineers, metalworkers and finishers produces sheet metal solutions for trade fair construction, shopfitting, display construction and special projects. The service covers the full process - from consulting and 3D engineering through manufacturing and coating to assembly and logistics.
As part of the IMA group, 3D-Werkstätte combines wood, metal and coating expertise within coordinated production workflows. Since trade fair construction and shopfitting projects often combine different materials, projects are completed without additional handovers between production disciplines.
Aerial View of the IMA Site, Aßlar
Why is metalworking central to trade fair construction?
In these projects, metal takes on load-bearing and functional roles in equal measure. Structures have to be stable, precise and at the same time flexible in use.
In trade fair construction this means load-bearing frames, framework structures, floor profiles or hanging systems. In shopfitting it is shelving systems, sub-structures, presentation surfaces or showcase frames. In display construction, product carriers, monitor mounts and shop-in-shop systems are added.
Many of these components stay hidden later on, but they are decisive for stability, load capacity and reusability. Metal structures often have to match wood-based elements exactly - in dimensions, connection points and surfaces.
Precisely manufactured metal components are often the decisive factor for the overall quality of a system - and for whether it can be operated economically across several uses.
More on trade fair construction projects and services from IMA International here: Trade fair construction.
What challenges arise from external suppliers?
In many projects, objects are built from several materials. Wood-based materials, metal and coating are combined, with each material taking on its specific role.
While wood processing is often handled in-house by trade fair contractors, metalworking is frequently outsourced to external suppliers. That creates operational friction between engineering, manufacturing and assembly. The consequences are longer lead times, more coordination effort and less control over the final result.
In the IMA group, metalworking is part of in-house production. Wood processing, metalworking and coating are bundled into one coordinated manufacturing process.
For clients, this means one point of contact for all trades, production steps that are aligned with each other and shorter response times when changes come up. Dimensions, surfaces and connection points are planned and executed under one roof.
The combination of wood and metalworking within the IMA group also opens up another option: depending on the requirement, the most suitable construction in terms of quality and cost can be chosen - whether wood, metal or a combination of both. Few suppliers in the market offer this flexibility.
Engineering changes can therefore be incorporated at short notice – without queries to external suppliers and without delays in the production schedule.
Which components are produced for trade fair construction, shopfitting and display construction?
The components produced take on load-bearing, functional and design roles in trade fair, shopfitting and display projects. The range covers single parts and prototypes through to series and special solutions.
Trade fair construction
In trade fair construction, the focus is on structures that combine stability, flexibility and reusability:
- Counter frames and counter sub-structures
- Wall structures and framework load-bearing systems
- Floor profiles, base plates and hanging systems
- Fittings and connecting elements
- Special structures to project specification
Shopfitting
In shopfitting, durable, reproducible metal components are produced for long-term store operation:
- Shelving structures and shelving supports
- Counter frames and cash-zone fittings
- Showcase frames and showcase chassis
- Wall-mounted presentation systems
- Logo mounts and signage systems
Display construction
For display construction, 3D-Werkstätte manufactures presentation systems for retail, showroom and trade fair use, from one-offs through to rollout series:
- Display chassis and product stands
- Screen frames and monitor mounts
- Wall rails and hanging systems for shop-in-shop
- Bases and metal plinths
- Metal furniture and custom production
Laser-Cut Sheet Metal Blanks for Trade Fair Construction and Shopfitting
The manufacturing process: from 3D engineering to the finished surface
The manufacturing process starts with 3D engineering. Through a CAD/CAM system, components are modelled in three dimensions and transferred to the CNC-controlled machine park. The tight link between engineering and manufacturing reduces handover errors and enables precise production workflows, even with complex parts and welded assemblies.
The process covers laser cutting of sheet metal at thicknesses from 0.5 to 20 mm, fully automated punching for forming, embossing and thread cutting, bending on 5- and 6-axis press brakes, and welding using TIG, MIG and MAG processes. After laser cutting, components are automatically unloaded, sorted and checked.
The team's years of experience make it possible to align the engineering precisely with the in-house manufacturing methods - from the first engineering concept through to the fully coated component.
Quality Control After Processing – Visual Inspection of a Component
Powder coating and wet painting
Surface treatment happens on site - no transport to external coating providers is required.
Jumbo Coat powder coating:
The in-house powder coating line allows high-quality coating of particularly large components: up to 2.0 m wide, 2.3 m high and 6.0 m long, at a weight of up to 2 tonnes. The electrostatic process is solvent-free and produces impact- and scratch-resistant surfaces in virtually any RAL, HKS or Pantone shade.
Wet painting:
A paint booth for wet lacquers with its own drying room is available as a complement. It is used when special surface effects or material-specific requirements call for wet painting.
Jumbo Coat Powder Coating Line - Coating of Metal Components
Wet painting: In-house booth with drying room for special finishes
Colour shades: RAL, HKS and Pantone - reproducible by batch
Benefit: No transport to external coating providers
Further information on coating processes and surfaces can be found here: Water-based lacquers in trade fair construction.
What role do assembly, packaging and logistics play?
The service does not end with manufacturing. On request, 3D-Werkstätte takes on the entire process through to delivery at the client's site.
Full assembly:
Alongside the parts produced in house, external components are also integrated - lights, product inserts, brand graphics, monitors. The finished product is fully assembled and delivered. No additional assembly effort is needed at the client.
Partial assembly:
Alternatively, only the produced components - the base body, for example - are assembled and delivered to the chosen location. Final assembly on site is then handled by the client's team. This option is particularly suited to settings where the client uses their own assembly teams or where site-specific requirements call for direct involvement.
Packaging:
Product-specific packaging is developed and produced with in-house resources. This safeguards the transport of even sensitive surfaces and components. With special formats or high-quality finishes in particular, standard packaging is not enough. A bespoke solution is decisive here.
In-house fleet and warehouse:
An in-house fleet ensures reliable and on-time delivery direct to the chosen location. On a large warehouse area, products are stored using an intelligent inventory management system until they are needed again. For exhibitors who reuse their exhibition stand, professional interim storage between shows is also available.
Logistics direct from the IMA Site in Aßlar
What does integrated metalworking deliver for trade fair construction projects?
Most projects in trade fair construction and shopfitting combine wood and metal. When both materials are processed in the same production, the benefits go beyond pure logistics.
- Dimensions and tolerances are reconciled directly between wood and metalworking
- Engineering changes can be implemented quickly, without extra coordination rounds
- Surface treatment for wood and metal is colour-matched
- Quality control runs continuously from raw material to the finished assembly
- Short-notice adjustments and repeat production are possible without delivery delays
- A single point of contact is responsible for the entire project
Anyone ordering metal components from external suppliers is dependent on their capacities and lead times. At 3D-Werkstätte, production planning sits within the IMA group - wood, metal and coating are scheduled together. As a result, quality control and timing can be steered centrally, without extra coordination loops between different trades.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which material thicknesses can be processed?
Sheet metal is processed at material thicknesses of 0.5 to 20 mm. Steel and aluminium are most common. Depending on requirements, other materials are also possible.
How large can components be for powder coating?
The Jumbo Coat powder coating line coats components up to 2.0 m wide, 2.3 m high and 6.0 m long, at a weight of up to 2 tonnes. Even very large structural parts are coated on site. Transport to external coating providers is not needed.
Are prototypes and one-off pieces also produced?
Yes. The range covers prototypes and one-off pieces, small series and large-series projects. SShort-notice change requests can be addressed directly in production.
What does full assembly mean?
3D-Werkstätte assembles not only its own components but, on request, also integrates external parts such as lights, monitors, product inserts or brand graphics. The finished product is fully assembled and delivered.
How does coordination with IMA International work?
Because both companies operate under one roof in Aßlar, coordination is straightforward. Dimensions, connection points and surfaces are planned jointly. One dedicated contact is responsible for the entire project – whether wood, metal or combined solutions are needed.
What are the benefits of a trade fair contractor with in-house metalworking?
The biggest benefit is removing interfaces. When wood processing, metalworking and coating happen on the same site, dependence on external suppliers falls away.
Engineering changes can be implemented straight away, dimensions are reconciled in house and quality control runs end to end. The result: shorter production times, more reliable schedules and a single point of contact for the entire project.
How long does it take to produce metal components for an exhibition stand?
That depends on complexity and quantity. Simple parts such as fittings or floor profiles are usually ready within one to two weeks. More complex welded assemblies typically take two to four weeks.
Because metalworking and trade fair construction production sit on the same site within the IMA group, manufacturing plugs directly into the overall schedule - without extra lead times between trades.
Is there a minimum quantity for working with 3D-Werkstätte?
There is no minimum quantity. One-off pieces, small series and large projects are treated as equals. Enquiries are welcome regardless of project size or unit count.