Oscar PLT
A German research company developing innovative plasma and laser technologies for industrial metal 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and repair welding using Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) with both wire and powder feedstock.
- CEO / Founder
- Dr.-Ing. Michael Schnick
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $1.4M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Kjellberg-Holding GmbH (shareholder); German Federal Government / EU public R&D grants (ERDF/JTF, DiMad, ImProVe, Mobile Repair Factory, Innoadd, VerEFab)
Technology & Products
Key Products
ProFocus - modular laser welding system for cladding, repair and additive build-up (wire and powder LMD), ProFocus Compact - compact laser head enabling new applications and geometries, ProFocus LaserCell Compact - turnkey compact laser cell product family (standard, extended working area, and open/mobile variants; launched June 2026), ProFocus WeldingCell - automated w-LDED cell with digital repair process chain, InFocus 3D - automated TIG cladding, repair and AM with high melting rates, InFocus - high-performance focused-arc TIG welding for automated joining (business taken over from Kjellberg Finsterwalde Jan 2026), Trailing gas nozzles - additively manufactured custom gas protection solutions, Welding cameras - process monitoring systems
Technological Advantage
Proprietary ProFocus technology featuring six 200W laser diodes positioned in a circle around the feeding lance creating a coaxial laser spot (~0.9mm diameter) generated directly inside the head; enables wire laser additive manufacturing (WLAM) with low porosity, high material efficiency, and safe handling; Industry 4.0 integration with digital process chains and mobile/on-site repair capabilities
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Complete plug-and-play solution for metal 3D printing and additive repair that delivers up to 6-figure annual savings for customers; enables unmanned, direction-independent welding with both wire and powder; minimizes component replacement through high-quality repairs and remanufacturing
How They Differentiate
World's only integrated laser system enabling BOTH wire AND powder Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) in a single head with seamless material switching - most competitors specialize in either powder-based or wire-based systems but not both; proprietary coaxial laser beam design with six 200W laser diodes creating consistent energy distribution for direction-independent unmanned welding
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers in mining, steel production, toolmaking, energy technology, hydropower, and agricultural machinery sectors seeking additive manufacturing, component repair, and remanufacturing solutions
Industry Verticals
Mining, Steel production, Toolmaking, Energy generation, Hydropower, Farm machinery/Agricultural equipment
Competitors
Meltio; TRUMPF; KUKA
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Private company with 11-20 employees; achieved transatlantic expansion with first ProFocus laser system commissioned in USA (2024) and major European research deployment at Fraunhofer IPK Berlin (2025); demonstrated on-site repair capability with Siemens Gas & Power AG for stationary gas turbine housing parts
Major Milestones
2013: Founded as OSCAR-PLT GmbH in Klipphausen industrial estate (Kjellberg group), 2017: First SLM drag gas nozzles in industrial series production, 2018: DED/LMD system ProFocus & positive pole aluminium welding at Kjellberg-Schweißtechnik, 2023: Launch of ProFocus LaserCell - complete plug-and-play solution for additive manufacturing, 2024: Transatlantic success - first ProFocus laser system commissioned in USA, 2024: Demonstrated on-site repair of stationary gas turbine housing parts with Siemens (Gas & Power) AG, 2025: New brand identity including slogan 'Just Add Metal', 2025: Fraunhofer IPK Berlin commissioned ProFocus LaserCell for robot-guided wire laser deposition, 2025: Participation in Nordic Laser Material Processing Conference (NOLAMP), 2026: Took over high-performance TIG welding (InFocus) from Kjellberg Finsterwalde Schweißtechnik (effective 1 Jan 2026), 2026: Expanded ProFocus LaserCell Compact into a product family with extended working-area and open/mobile variants (June 2026)
Notable Customers
Siemens (Gas & Power) AG; Fraunhofer IPK Berlin; ALOtec Dresden GmbH; Scansonic MI GmbH