Marco: Let’s start from the beginning. Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to become the CEO of Sculpteo?

Alexandre: “My journey into the world of 3D printing began with a strong foundation in industrial design, which is my background. I joined Sculpteo in 2016 as an industrial designer with a specific focus on supporting customers with Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). My role was to help potential customers understand the immense possibilities that additive manufacturing offers and how it could transform their production processes.

Over the years, I worked closely with clients across various industries, gaining deep insights into their needs and the challenges they faced. This hands-on experience in consulting and guiding our clients was invaluable, as it gave me a thorough understanding of the market and the technical intricacies of our industry.

Six years later, in 2022, I stepped into the role of CEO at Sculpteo. I brought with me the knowledge and expertise I had gathered from years of working directly with our customers. My experience on the front lines of DfAM has been instrumental in shaping our approach to innovation and customer service, and it continues to drive our mission to push the boundaries of what additive manufacturing can achieve.“

Marco: Can you tell us a bit about your 3D printing service? What makes it stand out in the industry, and are there specific sectors you primarily focus on?

Alexandre: “ Sculpteo is a leading 3D printing service provider, and what sets us apart is our strong foundation in software. The company was originally built around a powerful software platform designed to manage production efficiently. Over time, we’ve developed specialized algorithms, such as nesting and slicing tools, that optimize our processes. This software-first approach has been key to our success and has allowed us to scale rapidly, making us a global leader in the industry.

Over the years, I’ve seen the company grow from its early stages, focusing on optimizing production processes through software, to becoming one of the largest global 3D printing services, shipping around 80,000 parts worldwide every month.

We currently focus on several key verticals, with consumer goods and fashion being at the forefront. It’s fascinating to see how our flexible materials, particularly Forward AM’s Ultrasint® TPU01, are being used in high-end fashion to create innovative designs that are both wearable and functional. Additionally, we’re also heavily involved in the medical field, where we produce orthotics and surgical tools, and in the industrial sector, where our parts are used in a variety of applications, including automation and tooling.

Our commitment to providing end-to-end solutions that combine design expertise with material and production know-how is what truly makes us stand out.”

“Over the years, I’ve seen the company grow from its early stages, focusing on optimizing production processes through software, to becoming one of the largest global 3D printing services, shipping around 80,000 parts worldwide every month.”

Marco: How has being part of the BASF Forward AM family influenced Sculpteo’s growth and development?

Alexandre: “Joining the BASF Forward AM family has been a significant milestone for Sculpteo. It has given us access to a broader range of materials and expertise, which has been invaluable in expanding our capabilities. The synergy between Sculpteo’s design and production knowledge and BASF Forward AM’s material expertise allows us to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients. This partnership has enabled us to bring new and innovative products to the market, leveraging the full value chain of additive manufacturing.

For example, we’ve been able to develop advanced applications using materials like Ultrasint® PA11, which is not only tough and flexible but also sustainable, being bio-sourced from castor oil.

This integration of material science and production expertise is helping us shape the future of 3D printing.”

Marco: Let’s dive into some specific applications. How have Sculpteo’s advanced materials and technologies benefited your clients?

Alexandre: “In the consumer goods and fashion sectors, our use of Ultrasint® TPU has opened up new possibilities. This material’s flexibility and skin contact safety make it ideal for creating wearable designs that are both comfortable and durable. For instance, we’ve collaborated with high-end fashion brands, like JNORIG, to create parts that are directly worn on the body, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits. These advancements are helping designers push the boundaries of what’s possible in fashion.

In the medical sector, we’ve seen significant impact as well. We primarily print orthotics and surgical tools, where materials like Ultrasint® TPU, for example for prosthetics, or Ultrasint®PA11 play a crucial role. Ultrasint® PA11 is not only tough and flexible, but it also meets the sustainability demands of the industry. Its bio-sourced nature from castor oil adds an extra layer of appeal, particularly for environmentally conscious clients. We’ve also been able to leverage our expertise in lattice structures, thanks to Ultrasim® 3D Lattice Design, to create custom, patient-specific solutions that enhance the effectiveness of medical devices.

In the industrial sector, BASF Forward AM’s advanced materials have proven to be highly effective as well. For example, we’ve worked with Bernay Automation to produce specialized components for their vibrating bowls, which are used to sort and feed small parts in production lines. The parts we produce for them in Ultrasint® PA11 are tough, durable, and perfectly suited for the job, thanks to the unique properties of his material, which is both robust and gentle on the parts it handles. This capability to produce high-performance industrial components demonstrates the versatility and reliability of our additive manufacturing solutions across different sectors.

Marco: Could you share one of the most unique or challenging projects Sculpteo has undertaken?

Alexandre: “One of the most interesting projects we’ve worked on was for Citroën’s concept car created with materials and expertise from BASF. We created a part for the vehicle using advanced lattice structures, which required both precision and innovation. The challenge was to produce a part that not only met the strict mechanical requirements but also contributed to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the concept. The result was a component 3D Printed using Ultrasint® TPU01 and coated with Ultracur3D® Coat F+, that showcased the unique capabilities of additive manufacturing, combining complex geometries with high-performance materials. It’s projects like these that remind us of the endless possibilities of 3D printing and the exciting challenges that come with pushing the boundaries of design and engineering.”

“Joining the BASF Forward AM family has been a significant milestone for Sculpteo. It has given us access to a broader range of materials and expertise, which has been invaluable in expanding our capabilities.“

Marco: To wrap things up, what do you see as the future direction for Sculpteo and additive manufacturing as a whole?

Alexandre: “I believe the future lies in developing more end-to-end solutions that seamlessly connect the initial design with the final product. At Sculpteo, we’re focused on condensing our extensive knowledge of materials, design, and production processes into a more integrated and smooth workflow. This approach will allow us to better meet the evolving needs of our clients, offering more personalized and efficient solutions.

We’re also exploring new materials and technologies that will enable us to expand into new sectors and applications. The goal is to continue innovating and pushing the limits of what additive manufacturing can achieve, while also staying true to our commitment to sustainability and quality. As we move forward, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, particularly in how we can further integrate digital tools with production capabilities to create even more sophisticated and customized products.”

Thank you, Alexandre!