Education

Sintratec donates SLS Kit to Southern Union’s 3D printing programme

Sintratec, a Swiss company specializing in the development and production of SLS 3D printers has donated one of its SLS Kits to the Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) in Alabama. 

Released in 2016, the Sintratec Kit remains the world’s first and only SLS 3D Printer in kit form and at a fraction of the price of industrial SLS systems. It is specifically designed for the production of functional prototypes and is an ideal entry point into the world of SLS 3D printing.

Training the engineers of tomorrow

Sintratec founder and CEO, Dominik Solenicki, traveled from Switzerland to SUSCC’s Opelika campus to hand over the 3D printer, personally. During his talk, he explained: “Manufacturing technology is rapidly evolving, and we in the industry need bright young minds to help pave the future.”

Adding, “I am delighted that we have found such a capable partner in Southern Union and can do our part in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”

A 3D printed component in PA12 made on the Sintratec Kit. Photo via Sintratec
A 3D printed component in PA12 made on the Sintratec Kit. Image via Sintratec.

Hands on experience with SLS 3D printing 

SUSCC teaches more than 5,000 students each semester and has several technical programmes, including one in additive manufacturing, which will now have access to the Sintratec Kit. The Community College also plans to develop its 3D printing education at other community colleges across Alabama.

The partnership between the two organisations formed out of a collective desire to train future generations of engineers in additive manufacturing technologies. As such, students who take the additive manufacturing degree option will gain first hand experience of the 3D printing process, from design to maintenance.   

The college President Todd Shackett expressed his delight with the flourishing partnership, he said “We are so appreciative of this partnership with Sintratec. Our students will reap endless benefits from having experience in additive manufacturing, allowing them to fine-tune skills that will make them marketable not just locally, but around the world.”

Jeff Lynn, the Alabama Community College System’s Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development also commented on the partnership, “Industry will always know best what type of training is critical for companies’ far-reaching success.”

Adding, “It’s about building a world-class workforce that is prepared for careers, not just jobs,” he said.

As well as the Kit, Sintratec also produces the larger S1 and S2 SLS 3D printers and has recently signed a distribution contracts with CMF Marelli, an Italian reseller of 3D printers and Kallisto, a French 3D printing consultancy, to distribute them.

The Sintratec Kit was nominated in the “Personal 3D Printer of the Year” category at last years 3D Printing Industry Awards. You can now cast your vote for this years 3D Printing Industry Awards. Help decide this year’s winners now.

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Featured image shows a Sintratec Kit SLS 3D printer. Image via Sintratec.