Poland-based Sinterit has raised one million euros to assist their growth.
The company produces the Lisa, a desktop SLS machine that can print high resolution complex objects in nylon powder. The interesting part about this machine is that it is priced quite low compared to comparable SLS-style 3D printing equipment: under €12,500 (USD$13,250).
When I inspected the prints from this device last year, I found them to be very well formed and very high quality. I thought at the time that any company wanting to enter the SLS market might be interested in this machine simply due to the price.
In fact, this machine could be extremely interesting to makerspaces, where low cost equipment is frequently found. Most makerspaces today would have little ability to procure a high-cost nylon powder 3D printer, but with Sinterit, they might.
Now we find that Sinterit has announced a major investment from FIT AG, a German rapid prototyping company based in Munich. Specifically, they’ve €1.1M (USD$1.2M). It appears that a chunk of Sinterit has been bought by FIT AG, but it’s not clear how much. However, it seems that Sinterit will remain and operate independently; FIT AG has not even taken a board of directors’ seat with Sinterit.
Why would a big rapid prototyping company invest in a small Polish SLS manufacturer? It’s not stated, other than they wish to promote products in their “ecosystem”. But more likely they may hope the Sinterit products mature and can be used for their own business. Another possibility is that FIT AG already uses Sinterit products and wishes to secure their supply of equipment by financially stabilizing Sinterit.
Good for Sinterit, good for FIT AG and probably good for you too, if you’re interested in an inexpensive SLS 3D printer.
Via Sinterit
