Real manufacturing.
Desktop scale.

InFlux Origin bridges the gap between a 3D printed prototype and industrial manufacturing with real thermoplastic shots, resin 3D printed molds, and an easy-to-use operator app!

47.538917 N, 25.401444 E
CAD render of the InFlux Origin MK1 machine
Origin MK1

Why InFlux?

The middle ground should not be empty.

You can print a model in hours or dump tens of thousands of euros into industrial manufacturing. Why not something in between? Faster than 3D printing. Semi-industrial quantities.
Influx is the answer.

Evidence route

From an ambitious idea to a working machine.

Public resources

Built to be inspected, questioned, and improved.

From an idea
to a working machine.

We didn't build it all in one day. We took it step by step, making sure to improve along the way.

01
An idea appears

Sketches

My 3D printer is too slow and we can't afford industrial machinery. But what is in between?
Thus, we started sketching a machine that can manufacture high quantities for cheap.

  • Research the injection process
  • Separate the machine into sub-systems
  • Separate the sub-systems into individual components
Original hand-drawn InFlux injection molding system sketch
02
Physical experiments

The beginning of InFlux

The idea proved possible, so we defined a brand identity. We don't sell a generic injection molding machine.
We sell Influx.

  • Design a brand name and logo.
  • Define our goals.
  • Study the market
The first hand-drawn InFlux Origin MK1 logo on the cardboard prototype
03
Machine Prototyping

Plan for MK1

Branding and general architecture in place, it was time for engineering.
CAD, programming, simulations, test, repeat. There is no going back now.

  • Selecting and ordering components.
  • Mechanical and electrical design.
  • Making the first sub-systems work together.
Early InFlux MK1 wireframe plan
04
First working prototype

MK1

Our first complete machine capable of producing real injected parts. Although the automations aren't perfect, it gets the job done, and it certainly does it cheaper than industrial solutions.

  • Desktop sized
  • Water-cooled resin and metal mold compatibility
  • Fully compatible with the Influx Operator app
InFlux Origin MK1 integrated machine render
05
Future product direction

Next up

The next version will focus on a fully automated and monitored process, with water, molten plastic, and mold pressure monitoring. Designed for continuous thrustworthy operation.

  • Full machine enclosure
  • Pressure sensing and temperature balancing
  • Printed molds lifetime improvements
InFlux packaging and product development concept

Interactive assembly

Inspect the machine, not just the pitch.

No need to take our word for it, convince yourself. Take a look at the InFlux Origin Mk. 1.

Preview of the InFlux Origin MK1 assembly

Interactive assemblyLoads a 0.31 MB optimized model and the viewer runtime.

InFlux Ecosystem

Three systems. One machine.

01 Operator interface

Everything the operator needs, in one place.

InFlux Operator

A dedicated interface with internet connectivity. It includes complete machine monitoring, control and servicing functions.

InFlux Operator dashboard screen InFlux Operator production and temperature controls InFlux Operator machine movement controls
02 Control electronics

This is where the machine starts thinking.

Origin Motherboard

A custom PCB that serves as the central hub for every part of the machine. Offers the possibility for easy expansion and component replacement.

Landscape view of the InFlux Origin motherboard PCB layout
03 Thermal testing

We measure instead of guessing.

Thermal Lab

We measured heating and cooling time, temperature stability, sensor precision and heat spread to improve the next version of the machine.

Thermal camera image captured during InFlux testing Thermal testing equipment used on the InFlux machine

Volta Circuits record

Built to
go further.

16 achievements

One continuous record of competition, recognition, and engineering progress.

  1. National

    DaVinci 2026

    • Final stageFirst place
  2. National

    RoSEF 2026

    • National stageSecond place
  3. National

    ONCS

    • County stageFirst place
    • National stageParticipation
  4. National

    FRI 2026

    • PlayoffsAlliance Captain
    • Ranking6th place
  5. International

    MILSET Abu Dhabi

    • Delegation awardBest Delegation
Upcoming events

2026–2027 season

Next
events.

9 upcoming events

We almost always accept invitations.

Invite us

  1. Volta Circuits Summer School

    Scheduled

  2. Open Robotics Intelligent Grid

    Qualified

  3. Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp and Teacher Workshop China

    Qualified

  4. FIRST Tech Challenge

    Season

  5. Romanian Science and Engineering Fair

    Qualified

  6. Qube2Space

    Dates TBA

  7. DaVinci Technical Innovation Competition

    Dates TBA

  8. CanSat

    Dates TBA

  9. ONCS

    Dates TBA

Complete timeline

Every step
in one line.

16 achievements · 3 years

12National

2International

2Organizer roles

  1. 2026

  2. DaVinci Technical Innovation Competition

    National competition
    1. Final stageFirst place

  3. Romanian Science and Engineering Fair

    National competition
    1. National stageSecond place

  4. ONCS

    National competition
    1. County stageFirst place
    2. National stageParticipation

  5. FIRST Robotics Initiative

    National competition
    1. PlayoffsAlliance Captain
    2. Ranking6th place

  6. Student for a Day

    National competition
    1. Technical Creativity · 11th gradeFirst place

  7. Bolts and Speed

    National competition
    1. Drag RacingSecond place
  8. 2025

  9. MILSET Expo-Sciences International

    Abu Dhabi

    International competition
    1. Delegation awardBest Delegation

  10. Open Robotics Intelligent Grid

    National competition
    1. Alliance competitionFinalist alliance
    2. Storyteller AwardFirst place

  11. Romanian Science and Engineering Fair

    National competition
    1. National stageSecond place

  12. ONCS

    National competition
    1. County stageFirst place
    2. National stageParticipation

  13. Suceava League Meet

    Organizer role
    1. FTC MeetOrganizers
  14. 2024

  15. FIRST Tech Challenge Romania

    National competition
    1. National stageQualified

  16. Open Robotics Intelligent Grid

    National competition
    1. Final rankingThird place

  17. Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp

    China

    International competition
    1. Teenager Maker Camp and Teacher WorkshopParticipation

  18. League Meet of Penguins

    Organizer role
    1. FTC MeetOrganizers

  19. CanSat Romania

    National competition
    1. National competitionAward winners

Press appearances

Our work,
documented.

10 appearances

Independent and institutional coverage from 2024.

Drag or use the arrows

  1. Monitorul de Suceava

    Calificare la Națională: Elevi de la „Petru Rareș” și robotul Mbappé intră în arena Campionatului de Robotică

    National qualification

    Open article
  2. Obiectiv de Suceava

    Liceele din județ și-au prezentat oferta de școlarizare la Târgul Ofertelor Educaționale

    Public outreach

    Open article
  3. Daniela Palade Teodorescu

    Life skills & soft skills la EduFortress Childhood Festival

    Educational partner

    Open article
  4. Colegiul Național „Petru Rareș”

    ȘCOALA DE ROBOTICĂ CNPR

    Summer school organizer

    Open article
  5. Fundația Dan Voiculescu

    Energia tineretului românesc: echipa de robotică Volta Circuits

    National recognition

    Open article
  6. Observator News

    Energia tineretului românesc: echipa de robotică Volta Circuits

    Featured team

    Open article
  7. Gândul

    Echipa de robotică Volta Circuits, superlativ absolut în tehnologie

    Featured team

    Open article
  8. AIVImedia.hub

    Energia tineretului român: echipa de robotică Volta Circuits

    Featured team

    Open article
  9. Monitorul de Suceava

    Echipa de robotică Volta Circuits, în campania „100 de tineri pentru dezvoltarea României”

    Featured team

    Open article
  10. Național

    Energia tineretului românesc: echipa de robotică Volta Circuits

    Featured team

    Open article

Team Volta Circuits

Four disciplines.
One physical result.

Our team is built at the intersection of engineering, analysis and business. Nothing is left out.

01 Stefan Tonegari at a Volta Circuits event

Engineering lead

Stefan Tonegari

Mechanical engineering, manufacturing, CAD design, electrical integration, microcontrollers, and product development.

Build the machine.
02 Pintilei David at a Volta Circuits event

Simulation + analysis lead

Pintilei David

Math, SimScale, Unreal Engine simulations, Python models, machine learning, and data analysis.

Prove the decisions.
03
CU

Embedded programming

Ciprian Ursu

Arduino, C++, C, backend development, automations, and system integration.

Make it think.
04
LI

Engineering Rookie

Lavinia Ichim

Newest member of the team, still in training.

Continue the legacy.

Working principle

Plan. Build. Measure. Explain. As simple as that.

Public collaboration path

Review the work.
Challenge us.

Start with the public dossier, inspect the current artifacts, or follow the active repository.

Read technical dossier Open public artifacts View repository

ContactUs

For sponsorships, collaboration, media or general interest in our project, use the addresses below.

We're here to connect.

Recruitment

Help build what comes next.

We are looking for driven people ready to turn ambitious engineering into working hardware, software, and proof.

Questions? Email David david.pintilei9@gmail.com
Apply through Google Forms Apply
now

Sponsor visibility

Your brand can travel with the team.

Sponsorship packages can include visible placement on our uniforms and public presentation materials.

Volta Circuits team uniform render showing sponsor placement areas

Proof of the prototype

Not perfect.
But it proves the concept.

A bad-looking first part doesn't prove the machine is poorly made. It proves the machine can control heat, melt plastic, control injection amount, flow cooling water, clamp molds and eject parts.

First successfully injected InFlux part
6,331

samples in the longest captured thermal campaign, recorded April 16, 2026

108.6 min

measured heat-up, stabilization, and cooldown period

±8%

reported thermal model agreement with SimScale simulations

1 stack

operator app, machine, and safety all in one system

InFlux thermal testing in the laboratory

Thermal tests

Measurements defined the variables.

Thermal camera images and logged sensor data exposed heat loss, hot spots, and control behavior before those weaknesses became hidden inside an enclosure.

Landscape view of the InFlux dedicated motherboard design

Centralised control

Every action answers to the same hub.

The connectivity board communicates with the user, so the motherboard can focus on safety and precise control. All settings, sensors and outputs are controlled by the motherboard, running an STM32.

Box containing 56 parts injected by InFlux Origin MK1

Repeatability

56 parts.
One mold.

A single 3D printed resin mold was able to produce 56 individual parts before failure. Analysis revealed failure points and proposed quality-of-life improvements. The next version WILL be better.

Prototype status

What is not proven.
. . .yet

Mold life

Resin mold durability across continuous, repeated cycles.

Continuous running

Stable output quality across longer, controlled runs.

Price reduction

Reducing the profitable selling cost as much as possible.

Max water temperature

Maximum temperature the mold cooling water reaches during normal operation.

Download Hub

Public files.
Clearly labeled.

Welcome to the download hub! Check out the app, technical notebook or the branding materials.

Prototype notice: The public Influx Operator APK is still in development. Do not use it as a general-purpose machine controller. Constant machine supervision is required.

Integrity: SHA-256 checksums are published in checksums.txt. If the checksums don't check out, your file is NOT from Influx! Be careful of modified installations!