SINTEA PLUSTEK SRL

Their core work

SINTEA PLUSTEK SRL is an Italian engineering SME specializing in advanced manufacturing systems, with demonstrated expertise in hybrid machining — combining additive and subtractive processes in a single reconfigurable platform. They have coordinated the development of next-generation manufacturing machines (Symbionica) and contributed to ultra-short pulse laser systems for functional surface treatment (FemtoSurf). Their work sits at the intersection of precision machine engineering and advanced process control, serving industrial manufacturing environments. They are a technology company, not a research institute — their value is in translating advanced manufacturing concepts into working systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first H2020 project (2015-2018), SINTEA PLUSTEK focused on reconfigurable manufacturing machines — the Symbionica project, where they served as coordinator, centred on combining additive and subtractive manufacturing in one system. By their second project (2019-2022), the focus had shifted toward laser-based surface engineering: femtosecond laser parameters, functionalized surface patterning, and automated optical processing chains. The trend is a move from machine architecture toward precision surface and materials processing, with an increasing emphasis on automated in-process quality control.

SINTEA PLUSTEK appears to be moving from mechanical machine systems toward photonic and laser-based manufacturing processes, suggesting future collaborations in laser microfabrication, surface engineering, or photonic manufacturing equipment are likely.

How they like to work

SINTEA PLUSTEK has both led a consortium (Symbionica) and participated as a partner (FemtoSurf), suggesting flexibility in project roles depending on the technology domain. With 20 unique partners across 6 countries from just 2 projects, they are working in medium-sized consortia typical of RIA projects. There is no evidence of repeat partnerships, which is consistent with a company actively broadening its network across different technical communities.

SINTEA PLUSTEK has collaborated with 20 distinct partners spread across 6 countries through 2 projects — a respectable network density for an SME. Their geographic reach is European, with no indication of a strong national cluster or repeat bilateral partnerships.

What sets them apart

SINTEA PLUSTEK is a rare Italian manufacturing SME that has both coordinated an H2020 project and contributed specialist expertise to a separate laser processing consortium — demonstrating credibility at both the technical and project management level. Their combination of mechanical machine design (Symbionica) and photonic surface processing (FemtoSurf) gives them a cross-disciplinary profile that bridges traditional manufacturing with advanced laser technology. For consortium builders needing an industrial partner who can translate research into manufacturable systems, they offer practical engineering experience backed by EU project track record.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Symbionica
  SINTEA PLUSTEK served as coordinator — a significant responsibility for an SME — on a project building reconfigurable machines for next-generation hybrid additive/subtractive manufacturing, the only project for which they received EC funding (€683,750).
• FemtoSurf
  Their participation in a femtosecond laser surface engineering project marks a clear pivot toward photonic manufacturing, extending their profile beyond conventional machining into precision laser-materials interaction.