Voices of Prototal – Massimo Pierini

Voices of Prototal – Massimo Pierini

Massimo Pierini

Machine Operations Supervisor | Prototal Prosilas

Voices of Prototal is our space to share experiences, stories, and insights about the world of 3D printing and industrial manufacturing. Through direct testimonials from our colleagues, we aim to tell the story of the industry’s evolution and the value of our work.

“Volleyball taught me to make quick decisions, manage pressure, and work toward a common goal. Today, I bring all of that with me to Prototal, every day.”

My name is Massimo Pierini, and my journey started early—at the age of ten—divided between two passions: sports and technical studies. After earning my diploma as an electronics technician, I worked in fields directly related to my education. At the same time, I pursued a professional volleyball career, playing in Italy’s Serie A2 league in cities like Lecce, Florence, Perugia, Mantua, and Cesena. After years full of travel, challenges, and growth, I returned home. That’s when my path with Prototal began.

Professional Background

Throughout my career, I worked for three companies in the electrical sector, then in a manufacturer of concrete floor panels, and later spent nine years at ATL GROUP Spa, a company producing sofas, where I was responsible for both electrical and mechanical maintenance of the facility.

I changed jobs several times—not for dissatisfaction, but to follow my volleyball commitments. This parallel career helped me develop fast decision-making, discipline, and teamwork—skills that now define my professional approach.

What Gives Me Energy Outside the Office?

Sports still play a big role in my life, now through beach volleyball, music, and dancing. These are activities that help me unwind, stay active, and meet new people.

My Work Philosophy

At Prototal, I’ve found a stimulating environment that constantly pushes me to learn more about new technologies and expand my technical knowledge. Every day is an opportunity to take on new responsibilities and grow in a dynamic, ever-evolving context.

How I Bring My Personality to Work

As a former volleyball playmaker, I learned how to read situations, adapt quickly, and build teamwork. I carry this mindset into my work: collaborate with others, stay positive, and move with purpose. Humor and mutual respect are essential to creating a productive and motivating atmosphere.

The Role of Ethics

At Prototal, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of shared responsibility. Working in a team that values ethics and integrity pushes me to give my best. Every task is a chance to make a difference while respecting both colleagues and goals.

What Makes Me Proud – and Challenges Me

The most rewarding part of my job? Delivering a finished product and knowing I played a role in its success.
The biggest challenge? When demands exceed production capacity. In those moments, teamwork becomes essential. We each push ourselves to the limit—within reason—because that’s how results are achieved.

Work Routines

I don’t have any specific rituals—just strong organization. My experience has taught me that planning and communication are the keys to productive days. And yes, a coffee break is always welcome, especially when it gives us time to sync with the team.

How I Recharge

Coming home at the end of the day always brings me a deep sense of peace and balance. That moment of transition helps me reset and refocus.

Looking Ahead

In sports, I’ve reached major milestones, and now I bring that same ambition into my professional life. I’m always aiming to grow, take on new responsibilities, and contribute more to Prototal’s success.

My Advice for Those Starting Out

Stay curious, open-minded, and eager to learn. Ask questions, learn from experienced colleagues, and never underestimate the value of soft skills like time management and communication. Most importantly, find balance between work and personal life—it’s the key to long-term energy and clarity.

 

 

 

📩 Want to know more? Discover our world on www.prosilas.com and follow Prototal Prosilas on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest innovations!

 

Prototal Group is the largest provider of 3D printing, tooling, and injection molding services in Northern Europe. With a highly specialized team and advanced technologies, the group supports companies from various industries, including automotive and medical, offering rapid prototyping and serial production solutions. Prototal Prosilas is the Italian division of the group, with extensive experience in selective laser sintering (SLS) and advanced additive manufacturing technologies.

Think it, Print it, Fly it – Drones & 3D Printing

Think it, Print it, Fly it – Drones & 3D Printing

Stronger, Lighter, Faster – Drones & 3D Printing

Industrial 3D Printing for the Drone Sector

Next-generation drones, or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are profoundly transforming key sectors such as surveillance, industrial inspections, precision agriculture, and logistics. Simultaneously, 3D printing has established itself as a pivotal technology for innovating industrial production. It enables the creation of numerous complex components in short timeframes, reducing waste and costs compared to traditional methods.

In the UAV context, additive manufacturing represents a paradigm shift for producers. The ability to create complex geometries without mold constraints and with minimal waste makes this technology ideal for a sector that demands agility, precision, and continuous innovation.

Why is Additive Manufacturing Perfect for Drone Production?

Implementing 3D printing in the serial production of drones offers numerous advantages, impacting engineering, economic, and production aspects:

  • Weight Reduction and Performance Enhancement: Through topological optimization, material can be removed where unnecessary, significantly reducing weight without compromising strength. Less weight translates to greater autonomy, efficiency, and maneuverability, especially when drones must cover long distances or carry sensors.
  • Complex Designs and Design Freedom: Additive manufacturing allows for the production of single-component parts, even with organic, lattice, or hollow shapes, difficult to achieve otherwise. This eliminates joints and assemblies, simplifying production and enhancing functionality.
  • Extreme Customization: Each function requires a different drone, and with 3D printing, supports, landing gear, sensor housings can be quickly customized to specific needs, even in unique batches.
  • Accelerated R&D: From CAD file to component in a few days. Designers can test, modify, and relaunch versions in record time, drastically reducing time-to-market.
  • Flexible Production Even in Small Volumes: For many drone manufacturers, volumes don’t justify molds or equipment. Additive manufacturing makes small-scale or on-demand production accessible.
  • Efficiency and Sustainability: 3D printing uses only the necessary material. It reduces waste, simplifies logistics, and promotes a leaner, more responsible supply chain. It’s possible to choose CarbonReduced materials, like PA2200, or bio-based materials, like PA11, for improved sustainability performance.

Why SLS?

Among additive technologies, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) stands out for quality, precision, and reliability in industrial production and for its extensive material portfolio.

  • Complex Geometries Without Supports: Unfused powder supports the part during printing, allowing for intricate shapes, undercuts, internal channels, and lightweight lattices. Unibody structures with integrated functionalities—cable guides, threaded seats, attachments—can be created in a single step.
  • Extra-Large Printing Volumes: Prototal possesses the technological capacity to produce up to 2,000 units per day thanks to large-format SLS systems (up to 700×380×580 mm). Small-sized units are processed in batches to optimize productivity and ensure uniform quality. Large-sized units can be printed as a single monolithic block.
  • High-Performance Materials: Drones often operate in harsh environments. SLS supports lightweight and durable technical materials, ideal for resisting heat, impacts, vibrations, and humidity.

Prototal Group’s Material Portfolio for Drones

The Prototal Group offers a wide range of materials, but for the drone sector, the following stand out for their specific properties and superior performance:

  • Hyper-light Carbon: A composite material based on polyamide 12 reinforced with carbon fiber and hollow glass spheres, designed for applications requiring an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Its extremely low density (0.82 g/cm³) not only lightens components but also allows for the creation of floating parts, ideal for nautical applications or amphibious UAVs. With tensile strength (50 MPa) surpassing standard materials like PA2200 and a precise, uniform surface finish, Hyper-light Carbon is processed with high precision on EOS P770 printers, enabling the production of large monolithic components.
  • PA2210 Flame Retardant: Based on PA2200 but enriched with a halogen-free flame-retardant additive, PA2210 FR is the ideal choice for critical environments like aerospace and motorsport. It complies with UL 94 V-0 standards for thicknesses above 2 mm, the FMVSS 302:1991 regulation for US automotive interiors, and holds the Blue Card certification for 3D printing. Its flame-retardant properties are crucial for reducing flame propagation risk, essential for applications where fire safety and chemical resistance are imperative.
  • PA2200 CarbonReduced: PA2200 is the “workhorse” material of SLS 3D printing: a versatile, durable technical nylon certified for biocompatibility and food contact. The CarbonReduced version maintains all known mechanical characteristics of PA2200 but with a 45% lower environmental impact in terms of CO₂. Thanks to its balanced profile and aesthetic surface quality, PA2200 CarbonReduced is perfect for combining sustainability, precision, and functionality.

CODRONE – Autonomous Aerial Inspection

The Danish startup CODRONE develops autonomous drones for pilotless inspection and surveillance. In developing their first product, Aluco, traditional methods proved inadequate to meet requirements for robustness, lightness, and advanced geometry.

Thanks to SLS printing, Prototal Dk assisted CODRONE in creating functional prototypes and transitioning directly to final production, achieving:

  • Lightweight and robust shells for electronics and sensors;
  • Reduction in the number of parts and simplification of assembly;
  • Shorter development times and costs.

“With industrial 3D printing, we can move directly from prototype to final production. The quality and finish of the components provided by Prototal are extremely high.”

— Kristian Husum Laursen, CEO of CODRONE

Lightweight Drone Frame

The project began with a structural optimization phase, where software analyzed the loads, constraints, and operating conditions the frame would face in flight. The result was an organic geometry, reduced to the essentials, using only the material necessary to ensure strength and stability.

For production, SLS technology and a composite material based on polyamide and carbon fiber (PA603CF) were chosen, selected for its advanced mechanical properties, lightness, and thermal resistance.

The result? A frame 50% lighter than its aluminum equivalent, with improved mechanical performance and greater vibration absorption capacity.

 

Thanks to its vertical integration, the Prototal Group supports clients throughout the entire process: from the first prototype to serial production. If volumes increase, production can be transferred to injection molding without changing suppliers.

Additive manufacturing becomes an integral part of the production strategy.

 

 

Discover How We Can Support Your Next UAV Project

Do you have an innovative idea for a drone? Are you seeking the right partner to develop lightweight, durable components ready for production? Contact us for a dedicated consultation. Together, we can transform your concept into reality, with the speed, precision, and reliability of industrial 3D printing.

www.3dprintdrones.com

Prototal Group Prototal Group is the largest provider of 3D printing, tooling, and injection molding services in Northern Europe. With a highly specialized team and advanced technologies, the group supports companies across various sectors, from automotive to medical, offering rapid prototyping and serial production solutions. Prototal Prosilas represents the group’s Italian division, with strong expertise in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and the most advanced additive manufacturing technologies.

Voices of Prototal – Maria Chiara Menco

Voices of Prototal – Maria Chiara Menco

MARIA CHIARA MENCO

PURCHASING OFFICE – Prototal Prosilas

Voices of Prototal is our space to share experiences, stories, and insights into the world of 3D printing and industrial production. Through firsthand accounts from our colleagues, we aim to highlight the evolution of the industry and the value of our work.

“My work philosophy is based on consistency and reliability.”

Professional Background

“My professional journey began with artistic studies at the Art Institute, which immediately introduced me to the world of creativity and design. Later, I worked in the fashion industry in Civitanova Marche, an experience that allowed me to explore my passion for aesthetics and design. However, my path took a different turn when Prototal Prosilas needed new collaborators. Thanks to my father and sister, I became involved in the world of 3D printing and discovered a fascinating universe where creativity and technology meet.”

What Gives You Energy Outside of Work in Prototal?

“Art remains a fundamental part of my life—I draw and paint whenever I can, experimenting with new techniques. Additionally, I love the mountains and nature, which serve as my refuge from daily stress. Hiking with my family is a precious time that helps me recharge and strengthen our bonds.”

How Do You Stay Motivated and What is Your General Work Philosophy?

“For me, teamwork is essential—collaborating and sharing ideas always leads to better results. I am driven by the desire to continuously improve, learn new things, and face every challenge with determination. I firmly believe that consistency and reliability are essential values for anyone who wants to grow professionally.”

Pride and Challenges

“One of the projects I am most proud of is the development of a tracheal stent for a child at the Bambino Gesù Hospital. This intervention demonstrated how our technology can have a concrete impact on people’s lives.

Of course, there are challenges to face, such as different opinions and work methods within the team. However, I believe that communication and mutual respect are key—approaching difficulties with openness and dialogue always leads to professional and personal growth.”

“I love the dynamic nature of my work and the ability to constantly face new challenges. In the company, I have taken on different roles, from the laboratory to the office, and each experience has enriched me. I want to continue on this path, improving my skills and adapting to the industry’s evolution.”

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Starting in This Field?

“Be curious, open to learning, and ready to collaborate. 3D printing is an ever-evolving industry, and those who want to stand out must be willing to step up, learn, and work as a team.”

Maria Chiara Menco – Purchasing Office, Prototal Prosilas

About Prototal Group

Prototal Group is the largest provider of 3D printing, tooling, and injection molding services in Europe. With a highly specialized team and advanced technologies, the group supports companies across various industries, from automotive to medical, offering rapid prototyping and serial production solutions.

Prototal Prosilas represents the Italian division of the group, with extensive expertise in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and the most advanced technologies for additive manufacturing.

Voices of Prototal – Silvia Biancucci

Voices of Prototal – Silvia Biancucci

SILVIA BIANCUCCI

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

“There is nothing we can’t do, we just need to put in the effort and determination.”

What is your professional background?

“My professional journey began in 2001, when I took my first steps as an accountant. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to grow and develop on the job, learning something valuable from every consultant, colleague, and manager I’ve worked with. Each of them has contributed a piece to the puzzle that defines my skills today. The path that led me to Prototal Group was somewhat unexpected: I was working for an American luxury shoe company when, through a consultant, I came across Prosilas. Joining this group has been incredibly stimulating, and every day I am proud to be part of such a dynamic system.”

What gives you energy outside the office?

“My true passion is traveling. Whether alone, with family, or friends, every trip is an opportunity to discover, grow, and recharge. When I need to relax, I love taking a walk in nature with my dog—it’s my favorite way to clear my mind. I also enjoy reading and listening to podcasts, which keep my mind active, and I practice yoga to stay flexible, both physically and mentally.”

How do you stay motivated, and what is your general work philosophy?

“My approach to work is very similar to my approach to life: I don’t stop in the face of challenges. My motivation lies in knowing that I can contribute to something meaningful, being an active part of a system, and achieving results, no matter how big or small. I am a direct and decisive person, qualities I consider essential for my role. I try to tackle difficulties with practicality, using humor to ease tense moments and finding solutions that work for everyone.”

Pride and challenges

“Working at Prototal excites me, but it comes with its challenges. Transitioning to a new system after the acquisition was a complex moment but also the most stimulating of my career. It’s in challenges that opportunities for growth arise. On the other hand, tight deadlines can be demanding, requiring impeccable management. To handle these, I rely on strict procedures and checklists that help me stay focused and precise.

My goal is to keep improving: standardizing repetitive tasks and dedicating more time to thorough control and verification work. In the short term, I plan to perfect my English with an intensive course abroad, as I firmly believe that learning never ends.”

My advice to beginners?

“Humility, consistency, dedication, and seriousness. And never give up: even when faced with challenges, push forward with determination.”

Silvia Biancucci – Administration Mananger Prototal Prosilas

Voices of Prototal – Michele Paolinelli

Voices of Prototal – Michele Paolinelli

MICHELE PAOLINELLI

STRATEGIC ACCOUNT MANAGER

“Discipline, method, and curiosity are the best tools to face any challenge.”

Michele Paolinelli, Strategic Account Manager di Prototal Prosilas, esperto in progetti innovativi e stampa 3D.

What is your professional background?

“For ten years, I worked as a freelance surveyor, driven by my passion for architecture since high school. It was a job that helped me grow day by day, but at some point, I felt it lacked a stable future. I decided to close my freelance practice and look for a change.
A friend told me about Prosilas, and I was immediately intrigued. After exploring the world of Additive Manufacturing, I had no doubts: this was a new and exciting field with endless applications across diverse industrial sectors. I chose to join this company and never looked back.”

What energizes you outside of work?

“Riding motorcycles is my greatest passion. It’s the only activity that allows me to enter a state of flow: mind and body sync perfectly, and everything flows naturally. Besides motorcycling, I practice powerlifting and crossfit, two disciplines that train me both physically and mentally.

When I want to slow down, I turn to reading, particularly philosophy and non-fiction, as tools to reflect and grow. And I love traveling, especially with Claudia, my wife and life partner, with whom I share unforgettable moments exploring new places and cultures.””

How do you stay motivated, and what is your general work philosophy?

“My method is clear: discipline, precision, and consistency. Every day, I set increasingly ambitious goals because improving myself is the only way to grow. In my current role, empathy plays a key role: building trusting relationships with clients is essential for long-lasting and valuable projects.”

Pride and challenges

“The greatest satisfaction is seeing a happy client, especially when the entire team works cohesively towards a common goal. And when it comes to motorsport projects, it’s the cherry on top!

Of course, there are difficult moments. Technical problems or a client’s financial challenges require a proactive and methodical approach: you must stay calm, identify the root of the issue, and solve it without being overwhelmed by emotions.”

“My goal is clear: I aspire to take on a commercial role where I can lead a team, sharing the experience I’ve gained over the years. I want to manage the most innovative and forward-thinking projects, those that pave the way for the future of our clients and Prototal.”

“My advice for those starting this journey? Never stop being curious. Explore, learn, and continuously improve. Change always starts with you.”

Michele Paolinelli – Strategic Account Manager Prototal Prosilas