Why 3D Printing Know-How Matters More Than Expensive Machines – Interview with Sascha Surbanoski of 3D DRUCK LIFE

3D DRUCK LIFE operates as a 3D printing service provider with a focus on functional, application-oriented parts for industrial and mid-sized customers. Based in Zweibrücken, the company supports clients who want to use additive manufacturing without investing in their own equipment or building in-house expertise.

Technically, 3D DRUCK LIFE covers a broad range of materials. In addition to standard plastics, the portfolio includes dozens of polymer grades, various resins, silicones, fiber-reinforced materials and multiple metal alloys. Depending on part requirements, the company uses filament- and resin-based processes as well as metal 3D printing. Complementary services such as 3D scanning, CAD modeling and data preparation make it possible to reproduce geometries even when drawings or CAD files are not available.

Typical use cases range from functional prototypes and fixtures to spare parts and models for product development and patent submissions. An online cost calculator allows users to price parts directly and compare different material and post-processing options, for example surface finish or machining. 3D DRUCK LIFE sees itself less as a pure parts supplier and more as a technical partner that aligns material selection and manufacturing strategy with the actual operating conditions of the part.

Interview with Sascha Surbanoski

In this interview with 3Druck.com, founder Sascha Surbanoski discusses how demand for 3D-printed parts is changing, where typical misconceptions around materials, processes and applications still persist, and which technological developments he considers particularly relevant. He also outlines how additive manufacturing may evolve over the next few years and why hands-on, application-focused consulting remains essential.

From your perspective at 3D DRUCK LIFE, how has demand for 3D-printed parts evolved in recent years?

Demand has grown significantly, but in a differentiated way. PLA, PETG, PA and TPU are still the most frequently ordered materials, even though the overall material portfolio has expanded considerably. One noticeable trend is the strong increase in XXL parts, often up to around two meters in length. At the same time, interest in metal components is rising. Many customers are not yet aware that metal can be 3D printed at all – this is where we actively step in, explain the options and provide targeted guidance.

What are the main challenges you face today as a 3D printing service provider, and what typical problems or misconceptions do you encounter on the customer side?

The biggest hurdle is still the lack of know-how – even among technically skilled contacts in production planning, engineering or technical purchasing. The potential of additive manufacturing is often underestimated. Many still associate 3D printing primarily with simple models, even though the technology has long been suitable for functional and highly loaded components.

That’s why the process almost always starts with clarification: What is technically realistic today? Which materials and processes are available, and where are the limits? We then take a close look at where the part will be used, what loads it has to withstand and which environmental conditions are relevant. Based on that, we choose an appropriate printing process and material – and clearly explain the respective advantages and trade-offs.

In your view, which technological developments in recent years have been particularly important for additive manufacturing, and why?

A key driver has been the development of affordable, capable desktop printers and the corresponding slicer software. Brands like Bambu Lab have delivered a clear step forward in quality, usability and reliability, which has influenced many users and companies.

Today, many mid-sized companies prefer cost-efficient desktop printers from manufacturers such as Prusa, Anycubic, Bambu Lab, Snapmaker or Elegoo, which I regularly see in actual production environments. In contrast, very expensive industrial systems from 3D Systems or Stratasys often end up underutilized and sitting idle. Industrial systems remain important for specialized applications, but in some companies their capabilities are far from fully leveraged.

How do you expect additive manufacturing to develop over the next five to ten years – both technologically and in terms of applications and business models?

Two technologies that I consider particularly promising (among several others) are:

First: the FibreSeeker 3 3D printer with continuous carbon fiber reinforcement.

It makes high-strength fiber reinforcement affordable and broadly accessible as an open-source system without vendor lock-in. This enables entirely new applications, because parts can be printed with continuous fibers. In many cases, these components can match or even exceed the strength of aluminum – with significantly lower material usage and more flexible design options.

Second: experimental non-planar slicing.

Instead of depositing layers strictly horizontally, this approach allows the FDM print head to move simultaneously in three axes. This eliminates the typical “stair-stepping” seen in layer-based printing, resulting in smoother, more homogeneous surfaces, especially on slopes and organic shapes. The technology is still under development, but it shows strong potential to fundamentally improve the surface quality of FDM parts.

Further information about 3D DRUCK LIFE can be found on the company’s website.