Additive manufacturing of metal components using SLM technology for aerospace, motorsport and industry, including post-processing.
ProtoShape 3D-Printing AG
NeueneggNew on Amplifa
About ProtoShape
ProtoShape 3D-Printing AG was founded as a start-up in 2012 and counts among Switzerland's pioneers in generative manufacturing using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), also known as metal 3D printing. The company in Neuenegg manufactures components from aluminium (AlSi10Mg), stainless steel 316L, titanium Ti6Al4V Grade 23, Inconel 718, MarM509 and tool steel 1.2709 – with automatic powder removal, heat treatment, 3D scanning and full traceability. Three SLM systems with a build volume of 280×280×360 mm serve prototype and series production. As a founding member of the SwissFactory Group, ProtoShape also offers in-house mechanical post-processing (CNC, EDM), sheet metal fabrication, welding, powder coating, wet painting as well as assembly and cleanroom assembly (ISO 7). Experience from aerospace, mechanical engineering and Formula 1 flows into lightweight constructions and design optimisations.
- Site
- Neuenegg
- Processes
- SLM (Selective Laser Melting), FDM, Brokerage of SLS, Brokerage of MJF, CNC turning, Multi-axis CNC milling (incl. 5-axis), Punching, Laser cutting
- Materials
- AlSi10Mg, Stainless steel 316L, Titanium Ti6Al4V Grade 23 (Ti64 ELI), Inconel 718, MarM509, Tool steel 1.2709 (maraging steel, MS1, 18Ni300), Aluminium AlSi10Mg
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001
- Founded
- 2012
- Industries
- Aerospace, Aviation and aerospace, Motorsport / Formula 1, Mechanical engineering, Medical technology, Energy
- 01
Engineering / design optimisation
- 02
SLM printing / FDM
- 03
Automatic powder removal
- 04
Heat treatment
- 05
CNC machining / grinding / EDM
- 06
Surface treatment (powder coating, painting, laser marking)
- 07
Assembly / cleanroom assembly
- 08
Quality assurance with 3D scanning
Materials and Processes
Aluminium AlSi10Mg
Aluminium-silicon-magnesium alloy with good strength, castability and corrosion resistance, commonly used in SLM and casting applications.
Stainless steel 316L
Corrosion-resistant austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum steel with low carbon content for good weldability.
Titanium Ti6Al4V Grade 23 (Ti64 ELI)
Titanium alloy for medical technology and high-performance applications.
Inconel 718
High-strength, corrosion- and heat-resistant nickel-chromium alloy for aerospace, energy and chemical industries.
MarM509
High-temperature-resistant cobalt superalloy for engines, gas turbines and high-performance components up to approx. 1100 °C.
Tool steel 1.2709 (maraging steel, MS1, 18Ni300)
Widely used steel in additive manufacturing, achieving very high strength and hardness values after heat treatment.
Locations
Neuenegg
CHProduction / Administration
- Part weight / size
- SLM build volume 280×280×360 mm
- Lot size
- Prototypes to series production
- Materials
- AlSi10Mg, 1.4404, Ti6Al4V, IN718, MarM509, 1.2709
- 3 SLM systems
- FDM systems
- Gema powder booth with 10 guns
- Robotic pre-powder-coating system
- Laser marking cell with robot loading
- Welding robots
- ISO 7 cleanroom (400 m²)
- Quality assurance with laboratory
- Access to more than 50 CNC machines of the SwissFactory Group
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLM (Selective Laser Melting)Additive | – | 360 mm × 280 mm × 280 mm | – | Series production | AlSi10Mg, 316L, Ti6Al4V, IN718, MarM509, 1.2709, Inconel 718 |
| FDMAdditive | – | – | – | – | common plastics |
| Brokerage of SLSAdditive | – | – | – | – | – |
| Brokerage of MJFAdditive | – | – | – | – | – |
| CNC turningMachining | – | 18500 mm × Ø 2000 mm | – | – | – |
| Multi-axis CNC milling (incl. 5-axis)Machining | – | 18500 mm × Ø 2000 mm | – | – | – |
| PunchingForming | – | – | – | – | Sheet metal |
| Laser cuttingMachining | – | – | – | – | Sheet metal |
| BendingForming | – | – | – | – | Sheet metal |
| MIG/TIG welding (robotics)Joining | – | – | – | – | – |
| CNC laser weldingJoining | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3D laser weldingJoining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cylindrical grinding (external and internal)Machining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Thread grindingMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Surface grindingMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Electrical discharge machining (EDM)Machining | 0.001 mm | – | – | – | Steel, Titanium, Aluminium |
| Powder coatingSurface | – | 3200 mm × 800 mm × 1600 mm | – | – | – |
| Wet paintingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Special paintingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| TrowalisingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engraving / laser markingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assembly of complete modulesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| ISO 7 cleanroom assemblyAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Heat treatmentHeat treatment | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3D scanning (inspection)Inspection | – | – | – | – | – |
| Automatic powder removalAdditive | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering / design optimisationEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
8 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLM system | – | 3 | Build volume 280x280x360 mm | – | Neuenegg |
| 5-axis machining centre | – | several | – | – | SwissFactory Group (climate-controlled high-precision department) |
| CNC machines (turning/milling) | – | over 50 | up to Ø 2 m, 18,5 m length | – | SwissFactory Group |
| Gema powder booth | Gema | 1 | Parts up to 3,2 m x 0,8 m x 1,6 m; 10 guns; capacity up to 96 m²/h | – | – |
| Robotic pre-powder-coating system | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Laser marking cell | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Welding robots | – | – | – | – | – |
| ISO 7 cleanroom | – | 1 | 400 m² | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Quality assurance is carried out with an in-house laboratory, 3D scanning, automatic powder removal, heat treatment and traceability. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
| Evidence | Neuenegg |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| ISO 45001 |
Company History
- 2012
Founded as a start-up, Swiss SLM pioneer
- 2015
Qualification for space projects
- 2017
Started as a supplier for motorsport
- 2019
Research projects on material quality
- 2021
Founding member of the SwissFactory Group
- 2023
Focus on series production
- 2025
Focus on increasing efficiency