In the wave of new industrialization, technological innovation, like the dawn, illuminates the path for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. As a pioneer of this transformative force, 3D printing technology is reshaping the landscape of manufacturing at an unprecedented speed.

 

Recently, the BWT team engaged in an in-depth discussion with Chen Zhendong, Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Additive Manufacturing Professional Committee and Vice General Manager of Jiangsu Yongnian Laser Forming Technology Co., Ltd., at the Suqian Laser Industrial Park.

 

Filling the Gaps and Addressing Shortcomings

 

Established in 2012, Yongnian Laser Forming Technology Co., Ltd. was founded by Professor Yan Yongnian of Tsinghua University (recognized as the pioneer of 3D printing in China). The company specializes in metal 3D printing and large-scale laser equipment. In advanced fields such as aerospace, Yongnian Laser has built a comprehensive system of independent intellectual property rights through its core patented technologies, continuously filling domestic gaps in this field with profound technical expertise.

Laser 3D printing technology integrates computer-aided design, materials processing, and forming technology. Based on digital model files, the software and control system use specialized metal materials, which are layered through selective laser melting or deposition manufacturing methods to quickly produce metal components. This technology is characterized by digitalization, intelligence, and eco-friendliness.

Chen Zhendong explained that 3D printing technology can accelerate the production of complex components and devices, reshaping the manufacturing landscape with its disruptive power, achieving comprehensive intelligent and personalized transformation from design to production, ushering in a new era of "what you see is what you get," and promoting rapid technological advancements in aerospace, automotive, industrial molds, and medical industries.

 

A Glimpse of Yongnian Laser's Suqian Production Base

 

"3D printing technology simplifies complex processes into an intelligent closed loop of 'design – model - print,' making a 3D printer equivalent to a highly integrated, flexible, and efficient intelligent production line," Chen Zhendong emphasized. This transformation not only promotes the intelligent upgrading of production models but also simplifies production line processes, shortens production cycles, and improves circulation efficiency.

The revolution brought by 3D printing technology is not just in production methods but also in traditional manufacturing concepts and models. It achieves a significant shift from material addition and reduction to additive manufacturing, allowing the rapid and precise transformation of complex structures into physical entities. Meanwhile, the rise of personalized customization services reshapes business models, enabling companies to precisely match user needs, achieve on-demand production, and meet the diverse demands of the market.

In Yongnian Laser's production base, a variety of industrial-grade, high-precision 3D printed products are on display. Among them, the aluminum alloy aerospace engine model, representing their top-tier technology, precisely realizes complex thin-walled, hollow designs, and intricate cooling ducts in a single print, showcasing immense application potential.

"3D printing has become a cornerstone for the rapid development of the aerospace manufacturing industry," Chen Zhendong proudly stated. This technology significantly enhances product precision and performance, reduces dependence on molds, effectively conserves material resources, and embodies the concept of green manufacturing.

 

Breaking Technological Barriers Together with Yongnian Laser's Aluminum Alloy Aerospace Engine Model

 

In the industry's iterative process, faced with the urgent need for the localization of single-mode fiber lasers—the core light source for 3D printing—Yongnian Laser took the lead in applying domestic lasers to 3D printing equipment, supporting the national strategic goal of key technology independence with practical actions and gaining a unique competitive advantage.

On the path of pursuing high-precision metal 3D printing, Yongnian carefully selected BWT as a close partner. The BWT Lightning 500/1000W fiber lasers, with their compact design, high beam quality, and high stability, provide superior laser solutions for the industry. They not only meet the high reliability requirements of large-scale 3D printing equipment in aerospace but also flexibly adapt to the growing preference for miniaturization and portability in the civilian market. In the education and research market, the high reliability of BWT lasers has become the first choice for Yongnian Laser's new product development, providing solid technical support for exploring innovative applications.

 

BWT Lightning 500W/1000W Fiber Laser

 

With the vigorous development of the global 3D printing market, it is expected that by 2027, the scale of China's 3D printing market will exceed 100 billion yuan, showing broad development prospects.

Chen Zhendong pointed out that the advantages of ring-core beams in improving printing efficiency and quality, reducing splashes and deformation, are crucial for promoting technological progress in the domestic 3D printing industry, requiring collaborative innovation among domestic peers.

From an application perspective, the layout of the domestic 3D printing industry is somewhat singular, mainly concentrated in high-end fields such as aerospace, dental processing, and industrial molds, while applications in broader industries are relatively weak, and in emerging 3C applications, it is still in the early stages.

In response to this situation, Yongnian Laser actively seeks breakthroughs through industry-university-research cooperation, deeply researching several key common technologies in the field of additive manufacturing, committed to achieving deep integration of additive manufacturing technology and traditional processes to drive the comprehensive transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. Notably, Yongnian Laser successfully introduced 3D printing technology into the 3C field this year, making significant progress in titanium alloy 3D printing, providing laser additive manufacturing solutions for customized components such as mobile phone frames and hinges, greatly expanding the application boundaries of 3D printing technology.

 

A Scene of Metal 3D Printing at Yongnian Laser

 

Looking ahead, Yongnian Laser will join hands with BWT and other industry chain partners to deepen cooperation and jointly promote the rise of China's 3D printing industry, contributing China's strength to the transformation and upgrading of global manufacturing.