Case Study: Kutrieb Research achieves rapid, lower-cost turbine prototyping with 3D Systems ProJet 3D Printing

Lowering Cost and Reducing Production Time, ProJet 3D Printing Lets Turbine Technologies Soar

Turbine Technologies and its R&D spin-off Kutrieb Research are a family-owned Wisconsin firm known for educational laboratory turbines and small advanced engines for UAVs and government contracts. They faced long lead times and high costs from traditional investment casting—weeks and well over $20,000 for a single test part—making iterative design and physical testing impractical and risky for precise turbine components.

By adopting 3D Systems’ ProJet 3D printer to produce wax casting patterns, the company can print accurate patterns overnight (ready for foundry by morning) for well under $2,000, then cast them in high‑nickel superalloys like Inconel 718. The change accelerated R&D and small-batch production (now ~80% production use), reduced costs and turnaround, protected designs via digital files, expanded educational and service offerings, and strengthened their reputation and market opportunities.

Kutrieb Research