From research into real testing tasks
Imprintec emerged from materials science research and consistently aligns i3D® with real parts, critical zones and industrial decision logic.
Imprintec
About Imprintec
Overview
What Imprintec stands for today
Imprintec combines i3D® technology, a materials testing laboratory and system development from Bochum so that local mechanical material data becomes available faster where classical tensile specimens are too far from the real part.
Technology, laboratory and system from one line
The strength is not just the device itself, but the combination of testing method, evaluation, laboratory practice and concrete system selection.
Local properties instead of only global averages
The focus is on local yield strength, tensile strength and stress-strain data exactly where welds, edge zones or small geometries matter technically.
Bochum as the technical starting point
From Bochum, Imprintec supports development projects, laboratory tasks, screening logic and production-oriented materials testing for industry and research.
Team
The team behind Imprintec
The team covers technology, laboratory work, software, product development, application engineering, management and communication. That allows testing task, measurement strategy and implementation to be handled from one technical line.
Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Schmaling
Founder and CEO
Founder of Imprintec and the technical mind behind the i3D® technology.
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Saskia Siegert
Head of Materials Testing Laboratory
Direct contact for materials analysis, testing methods and laboratory project coordination.
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Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Lindner
Business Development and R&D
Focus on industrial application and technical implementation of the i3D® technology.
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Adithya Kalliath
Software Development
Works on data-driven evaluation routes and software for materials-science analysis.
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Marian Reitzig
Software Development and Product Development
Responsible for the technological development of the i3D® testing systems.
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Stefania Dovhan
Marketing Assistance
Responsible for marketing and communication around technology, applications and the brand.
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Jennifer Kampa
Management
Coordinates administration and organization around projects and company operations.
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Zahra Bayat
Engineer in Application
Focuses on testing processes, material analysis and technical customer support in application engineering.
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Peter Zok
Applications – Materials Testing
Supports application-oriented materials testing tasks with extensive industrial experience.
LinkedIn profileTechnological origin
Imprintec emerged from materials science research. The starting question was how mechanical properties could be determined directly from a test indentation because classical tensile specimens are often too elaborate, too large or too far away from the actual problem zone.
From this, i3D® developed into a testing route for local yield strength, tensile strength and stress-strain data with less preparation effort and a clearer connection to the real zone.
- local material data where the technical decision actually sits
- less effort than many classical standard-specimen routes
- one testing route from part, zone and target value to usable evaluation
History
The development of Imprintec follows a clear technological line: research, company foundation, first systems, standardization and international standard work.
This means i3D® did not arise as a single product, but from continuous methodological and technical development.
- 2012 to 2016: research work by the later founders
- 2017: foundation of Imprintec GmbH
- 2018: market launch of the first products
- 2019: standardization of the imprint method in DIN SPEC 4864
- 2022: expansion of the portfolio with i3D® mBV and i3D® BVR
- 2024: start of international standardization work in the ASTM environment
Capability profile
Imprintec develops and operates i3D® testing systems for local mechanical materials testing. This is complemented by a materials testing laboratory, application consulting, publications and a clear link to standards.
The technical focus lies on tasks where local material differences at welds, additive structures, small geometries or real parts must be evaluated.
- i3D® testing systems from compact entry setups to automated laboratory and serial-testing logic
- materials testing laboratory for single measurements, comparison measurements and project starts
- application knowledge for weld testing, screening, inline testing, part testing and simulation
- publications and standards as the methodological framework for i3D® and Indentation Plastometry
Team and technical fields
The team combines materials testing, laboratory leadership, business development, software development, product development, application engineering, management and communication.
This combination is technically necessary because i3D® is not just hardware, but a complete mix of testing routine, data evaluation, software, application knowledge and technical customer support.
Knowledge pages should help users move through related trust and orientation topics.
Partner network
Partner network for testing technology, lightweight engineering, AM research and simulation
Imprintec works with a partner network from hardness testing, non-destructive testing, lightweight engineering, additive manufacturing, software and materials simulation. The network strengthens i3D® wherever adjacent testing routes, integration paths or digital materials development matter.
DIN
DIN stands for the German standardization environment in which the i3D® imprint method was structured and formalized via DIN SPEC 4864. For Imprintec, this is the relevant frame wherever testing logic, comparability and method positioning need a recognized technical reference.
ASTM International
ASTM International is a globally active standards organization from the United States. For Imprintec, ASTM is especially relevant where ASTM E3499 provides the international reference for the Imprint Test and strengthens comparability, reporting and global technical communication.
Fraunhofer IAPT
Fraunhofer IAPT researches additive production technologies along the full AM route, from design and materials to factory planning, virtualization and industrial implementation.
FOERSTER
FOERSTER develops systems for non-destructive testing, hardness measurement and automated inspection solutions. That complements i3D® wherever test lines, inspection logic and industrial integration are relevant.
ICAMS · Ruhr-Universität Bochum
ICAMS is the Interdisciplinary Centre for Advanced Materials Simulation at Ruhr University Bochum. The centre focuses on multi-scale simulation tools for advanced materials and links atomistic, microstructural and macroscopic modelling routes. For Imprintec, ICAMS is relevant wherever simulation-based materials understanding, digital material models and method-oriented scientific positioning around local material behaviour become important.
KB Prüftechnik
KB Prüftechnik stands for hardness and spring testing systems, modernization and service. The company describes its systems as made in Germany and highlights long-standing testing expertise from former Wolpert engineers.
Testawell
Testawell communicates testing technologies and application knowledge for different industries and testing tasks, including hardness testing and indentation plastometry topics.
ALEN GmbH
ALEN GmbH develops aluminium and lightweight solutions and covers project management, industrialization, simulation, testing and material development for structural components.
Metalco Testing
Metalco Testing is a Czech partner for materials testing and quality control with a portfolio covering metallography, hardness measurement, accredited calibration and service.
OpenPhase Solutions
OpenPhase Solutions – Advanced Microstructure Simulation: Predicting how materials form, transform, and perform, from solidification to additive manufacturing.
Pixelpiot
Pixelpiot develops websites, landing pages and digital visuals with a focus on structure, performance, SEO basics and modular implementation.
Companisto
Companisto is an investment network for startups and growth companies. For Imprintec, the platform expands visibility, investor access and financing logic wherever scale-up, market communication and growth steps become relevant. The Imprintec financing page on Companisto makes the company visible to a broader private investor and business angel network.