Access is an independent research centre associated with the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH) in Germany. 50 engineers and scientists are pooling a diversity of individual skills to merge both scientific and technological know-how in materials and processes with a special focus on metallic materials and casting processes. Excellence in science demonstrated in application is the leitmotiv! High end products for turbo machinery are outstanding examples for this approach. Scientific expertise and technological skills are transferred into best practice examples.