#Startup3D: Tesseract Brings Linear Motors to 3D Printers

Almost every 3D printer moves its printhead with belts and pulleys, an affordable solution that comes with certain limits. The belt stretches, vibrates, and loses rigidity over time. For years, the industry has had a faster and more precise alternative in linear motors, but their price has kept them out of reach for many machine builders. Dutch startup Tesseract Technologies wants to change that with a linear motor developed from the ground up, from hardware to firmware, which the company says is two to five times more cost-effective than other products with similar performance.

The project began as the thesis of its founder, Timothy Kramer, and is already running on actual machines such as the FELIX Pro XXL from FELIXprinters. With a commercial launch planned for the first quarter of 2027, we spoke with the founder to understand what changes when you remove the belt, how closed-loop control continuously corrects the printhead’s position, and why multiple toolheads working simultaneously on the same axis could lead to entirely new machines. Don’t miss it!

Timothy Kramer, founder of Tesseract, during his presentation at Formnext 2025. The startup was a finalist for the Rookie Award.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and tell us what led you to found Tesseract Technologies?

My name is Timothy Kramer, and I’m the founder of Tesseract Technologies. As a student in the 2010s, I was fascinated by 3D printing. Being able to design something on a computer and then watch the part being manufactured right in front of you felt very empowering. What bothered me, however, was the print speed.