Sintratec

Sintratec AG was a Swiss company that specialized in the development and manufacturing of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printers. Founded in 2014 by engineers Dominik Solenicki, Joscha Zeltner, and Christian von Burg, graduates of ETH Zürich and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, the company aimed to make professional-grade SLS technology more accessible. The founders identified a market gap between low-cost desktop printers and expensive industrial systems, motivating them to create an affordable solution for producing functional, solid parts.

The company's initial product, the Sintratec Kit, was launched via a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in 2014 and was the world's first desktop SLS 3D printer available as a kit. This product was designed for professionals and researchers, offering an entry point into SLS technology. Over the years, Sintratec expanded its product line with the Sintratec S1, S2, and S3 printers. The Sintratec S2 system, a key product, featured a modular design comprising a Laser Sintering Station (LSS), a Material Core Unit (MCU), and a Material Handling Station (MHS), allowing for scalability and efficient material changes. The company's All-Material Platform, introduced with the S3 printer, even enabled the processing of both polymers and metals on the same system.

Sintratec's business model focused on selling these printers, along with materials like PA12 nylon and flexible TPE, to a wide range of clients, including those in the automotive, electrical engineering, medical, and research sectors. The printers were used for creating functional prototypes, producing end-use parts, and manufacturing jigs and fixtures. The company generated revenue through direct sales and a global network of resellers. Despite reporting a 60% increase in net sales for 2023, Sintratec ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy in May 2024, citing the inability to financially sustain the business amidst challenging market and capital realities. After-sales service and support are now handled by former resellers, 3DChimera and KREOS.

Keywords: Selective Laser Sintering, SLS 3D printing, additive manufacturing, professional 3D printers, desktop SLS, polymer 3D printing, Sintratec Kit, Sintratec S2, All-Material Platform, PA12 nylon printing, TPE printing, functional prototyping, low-volume production, Swiss engineering, AM Ventures, Extorel, Dominik Solenicki, Joscha Zeltner, Christian von Burg, modular 3D printer, powder bed fusion, advanced manufacturing