#3DStartup: ING3D and its Mineral 3D Printing Solutions

Based in Germany, our startup of the month is ING3D which has developed a mineral 3D printing process inspired by powder sintering, called Mineral Direct Laser Sintering (MDLS). Thanks to this unique process, it is possible to design very light and non-flammable parts all while reducing the cost of printing by 10 and speeding up the manufacturing process. ING3D notably uses perlite, a rock of volcanic origin containing water. Still, at the prototype stage, the machine developed by the startup could have a major impact on many industries that need to produce heat-resistant objects, for example. We met the founder of ING3D, David Manjura, to learn more about this innovative technology and the startup’s future projects.

3DN: Can you briefly introduce yourself and explain your connection to 3D printing?

Hello, my name is David Manjura, I am a materials engineer – specializing in lightweight inorganic materials – and have been working in the construction industry for 11 years. In 2015, I first discovered 3D printing when I received a request from the Technical University of Munich to develop lightweight concrete. From then on, the subject of additive manufacturing has never left my mind. After working with experts in 3D printing, participating in trade shows, forums and conferences, I am convinced that additive manufacturing could become a decisive technological step to solve a multitude of environmental, economic and other problems, perhaps even cultural.

The founder of ING3D holding a part printed in 3D with the MDLS process (Photo Credit: ING3D)

3DN: How was ING3D born? Can you explain Mineral Direct Laser Sintering (MDLS) in more detail?

I noticed that additive manufacturing focused mainly on metals and plastics, and only a small percentage on inorganic materials, like concrete and ceramics. The subject of 3D printed inorganic lightweight materials had not yet been addressed in a patent or thesis. In 2016, I decided to conduct the first series of experiments independent of the work of the time and to check whether such 3D printing is feasible. This is how MDLS (Mineral Direct Laser Sintering) technology was born. The process consists of sintering light mineral materials, in particular perlite, by means of a CO2 laser combined with the well-known powder bed fusion process in a single step, that is to say without post-sintering.