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, retail construction and display construction – from 3D design 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 link between wood, metal and surface expertise lets projects run through a continuous production 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 processing company based in Aßlar. The company is part of the IMA group and located at the same site as IMA International.
At the IMA site in Aßlar, with 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, retail construction, display construction and custom builds. The service spectrum covers the entire process – from consultation and 3D engineering through production and coating to assembly and logistics.
As part of the IMA group, 3D-Werkstätte combines expertise in wood, metal and surface finishing within a coordinated production flow. Since trade fair and retail construction frequently combine different materials, projects can be delivered without additional interfaces between trades.
Aerial view of the IMA site, Aßlar
Why does metalworking play a central role in trade fair construction?
In these projects, metal takes on both load-bearing and functional roles. Constructions must be stable, precise and at the same time flexible in use.
In trade fair construction, this involves load-bearing structures, frame constructions, floor profiles or hanging systems. In retail construction, the focus shifts to shelving systems, substructures, presentation surfaces or showcase frames. In display construction, product carriers, monitor mounts or shop-in-shop systems are added.
Many of these components remain invisible later on, but are crucial for stability, durability and reusability. Metal constructions frequently have to fit precisely with wood-based elements: in dimensions, joining 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 multiple uses.
More information on trade fair construction projects and services from IMA International is available here: Trade fair construction.
What challenges arise from external suppliers?
Many projects involve objects made from several materials. Wood-based materials, metal and coatings are combined: each material takes on its specific function.
While woodworking is handled in-house at many trade fair construction firms, metalworking is frequently outsourced to external suppliers. This generates friction between engineering, production and assembly. The consequences are longer lead times, more coordination effort and less control over the end result.
Within the IMA group, metalworking is part of in-house production. Woodworking, metalworking and coating are bundled into a coordinated manufacturing process.
For customers, this means: one point of contact across all trades, production processes that work in sync with each other, and shorter response times for changes. Dimensions, surfaces and joining points are planned and implemented under one roof.
The combination of woodworking and metalworking within the IMA group opens up another option: depending on the requirement, the construction type that is optimal in quality and cost can be chosen – wood, metal or a combination of both. Few providers in the market offer this flexibility.
Engineering changes can therefore be accommodated at short notice – without queries to external suppliers and without delays in the production schedule.
Which components are produced for trade fair, retail and display construction?
The components produced take on load-bearing, functional and design roles in trade fair, retail and display projects. The range spans from individual parts and prototypes to series production and custom builds.
Trade fair construction
In trade fair construction, the focus is on constructions that combine stability, flexibility and reusability:
- Counter frames and counter substructures
- Wall constructions and frame structures
- Floor profiles, base plates and hanging systems
- Fittings and connecting elements
- Custom constructions to project specification
Retail construction
In retail construction, the work covers durable, reproducible metal components for permanent in-store operation:
- Shelving constructions and shelf supports
- Counter frames and checkout zone built-ins
- Showcase frames and showcase stands
- Wall-mounted presentation systems
- Logo mounts and signage systems
Display construction
In display construction, 3D-Werkstätte produces presentation systems for retail, showroom and trade fairs, from one-offs to rollout series:
- Display stands and product holders
- Screen frames and monitor mounts
- Wall rails and hanging systems for shop-in-shop
- Metal pedestals and bases
- Metal furniture and custom builds
Laser-cut sheet metal parts for trade fair and retail construction
The production process: from 3D engineering to the finished surface
The production process starts with 3D engineering. Using a CAD-CAM system, components are modelled in three dimensions and transferred to the CNC-controlled machine park. The close link between engineering and production reduces transfer errors and enables precise production flows even for complex parts and welded assemblies.
The production process covers laser cutting of sheet metal in material thicknesses from 0.5 to 20 mm, fully automated punching for forming, embossing and thread cutting, edge folding on 5- and 6-axis press brakes, and welding using TIG, MIG and MAG processes. After laser cutting, components are automatically removed, sorted and inspected.
The long-standing experience of the team makes it possible to match engineering precisely to the in-house production processes – from the first engineering concept to the finished, coated part.
Quality control after press braking – visual inspection of a metal component
Powder coating and wet lacquering
Surface treatment is carried out on site – transport to external coating contractors is not required.
Jumbo Coat powder coating:
The in-house powder coating system enables high-quality coating of particularly large components: up to 2.0 m wide, 2.3 m high and 6.0 m long, at weights up to 2 tonnes. The electrostatic process is solvent-free and produces impact- and scratch-resistant surfaces in almost any RAL, HKS or Pantone colour.
Wet lacquering:
A dedicated wet lacquering booth with its own drying room is available as well. It comes into play when specific surface effects or material-specific requirements call for wet lacquering.
Jumbo Coat powder coating system – coating of metal components
Wet lacquering: In-house booth with drying room for special surfaces
Colours: RAL, HKS and Pantone – reproducible to the batch
Advantage: No transport to external coating contractors
More information on coating processes and surfaces is available in this article: Water-based lacquers in trade fair construction.
What role do assembly, packaging and logistics play?
The service does not end with production. On request, 3D-Werkstätte handles the entire process through to delivery at the customer's site.
Full assembly:
Alongside the in-house manufactured components, external parts are integrated as well – lighting, product inserts, graphics, monitors. The finished product is delivered fully assembled. No additional assembly is needed at the customer's site.
Partial assembly:
Alternatively, only the in-house produced components – for example the basic body – are assembled and delivered to the chosen location. Final assembly on site is then handled by the client's own team. This option works particularly well when in-house assembly teams are deployed on site or location-specific requirements call for direct involvement.
Packaging:
Product-specific packaging is developed and produced with in-house resources. This ensures safe transport even for sensitive surfaces and components. Particularly for special formats or premium surfaces, standard packaging is not sufficient. A bespoke solution is decisive in those cases.
In-house vehicle fleet and warehouse:
An in-house vehicle fleet ensures reliable, on-time delivery directly to the chosen location. Products are stored on a large warehouse area using an intelligent inventory management system until they are needed again. For exhibitors who reuse their trade fair stand, proper interim storage between uses is also available.
Logistics direct from the IMA site in Aßlar
What are the benefits of integrated metalworking for trade fair construction projects?
Most projects in trade fair and retail construction combine wood and metal. When both materials are processed in the same production, advantages emerge that go beyond pure logistics.
- Dimensions and tolerances are reconciled directly between woodworking and metalworking
- Engineering changes can be implemented quickly, without additional coordination rounds
- Surface treatment for wood and metal is matched in colour
- Quality control runs continuously from raw material to finished assembly
- Short-notice adjustments and follow-up production are possible without delivery delays
- A single point of contact takes responsibility 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 scheduling can be steered centrally, without additional 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. Other materials are possible depending on requirements.
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 no longer needed.
Are prototypes and one-off pieces produced too?
Yes. The range covers prototypes and one-off pieces, small series and large-series projects. Last-minute change requests can be picked up directly in production.
What does full assembly mean?
The 3D workshop not only assembles its own components, but also integrates external parts such as lights, monitors, product inserts or graphics on request. 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 runs without detours. Dimensions, connection points and surfaces are planned jointly. One dedicated contact owns the full 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, metal and coating happen at the same location, you stop depending on external suppliers.
Engineering changes can be implemented right away, dimensions are reconciled in house and quality control runs end to end. That means 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 like 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 exhibition production sit at the same site within the IMA group, production plugs directly into the overall schedule - without extra lead times between trades.
What's the minimum quantity to work with the 3D workshop?
There is no minimum quantity. One-off pieces, small series and large projects are all treated equally. Enquiries are welcome regardless of project size or unit count.