Structur3D

Structur3D was a 3D printing technology company that specialized in expanding the material capabilities of desktop 3D printers. Founded in August 2013 by Charles Mire and Andrew Finkle, the company was based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada, a notable hub for technology and innovation. The founders' backgrounds were deeply rooted in materials science and engineering; Mire holds a PhD in Chemistry with research in printing biopolymers, while Finkle's PhD work in Chemical Engineering focused on nanomaterials for 3D printing applications. This expertise directly informed the company's direction.

The core of Structur3D's business was the development of hardware that allowed users to move beyond standard rigid plastic filaments. Its flagship product, the Discov3ry extruder, was a universal add-on for existing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers. This device enabled the printing of a wide array of soft materials and pastes, such as silicones, polyurethanes, clay, and even food items like icing sugar. The business model targeted both the hobbyist 'Maker' community and small-to-medium-sized enterprises by providing an open-source-friendly system, contrasting with more restrictive, proprietary models in the market. Revenue was generated through the sale of this hardware, with a long-term vision to also supply pre-filled material cartridges, following a classic razor-and-blades strategy.

Structur3D gained initial traction through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2014, raising over $118,000 and demonstrating significant market demand. The company was also backed by several accelerators and incubators, including Communitech and Techstars, and secured seed funding from investors like BDC. A significant milestone was a partnership with Stanley Black & Decker to develop the 'Inj3ctor' platform, aimed at making the production of rubber and silicone parts easier for industrial manufacturers. Despite these developments and serving hundreds of customers, public records indicate the company ceased operations around June 2021.

Keywords: paste extruder, 3D printing materials, soft material 3D printing, universal extruder, Discov3ry extruder, FDM printer add-on, silicone 3D printing, multi-material 3D printing, Charles Mire, Andrew Finkle, Kitchener-Waterloo startup, additive manufacturing hardware, material extrusion, custom 3D printing, R&D prototyping, industrial prototyping, open-source 3D printing, Kickstarter 3D printer, Communitech, Stanley Black & Decker 3D printing