When it comes to 3D printing in plastics, no company has a wider experience than Stratasys. Its portfolio of PolyJet and FDM technologies is extensive and well-known, less well-known is a partnership it has here in China, that uses a third polymeric additive manufacturing process.
In 2014, Stratasys formed a joint venture with Trump Precision Machinery called TPM3D. TPM3D manufactures selective laser sintering systems that are currently only available in China.
Previously, Solid Concepts had a working relationship with Trump Precision Machinery. When Stratasys acquired Solid Concepts in 2014 (later merging the service bureau with Red Eye and Harvest Technologies to form Stratasys Direct Manufacturing), the connection solidified into a J.V.
Although there is no actual machine on display, TPM3D are on the Stratasys booth here at TCT Asia showing large, exceptionally smooth parts that boast wall thickness that can get down to as little as 0.10 mm. There are four sizes of sintering equipment, and TPM says it has been manufacturing and repairing laser sintering devices for more than ten years.
TPM3D SLS parts on show at TCT Asia
TPM3D SLS parts on show at TCT Asia
The TPM3D devices, like many of the Stratasys products in China, are open when it comes to the materials you can use although TPM3D do supply a range of materials called 'Precimind.'
Will we see this outside of China anytime soon? Not according to what I could glean from the information given to me by the TPM3D team.
