3D Printing Becomes Standard in Commercial Rocket Manufacturing for Mass Production of Core Engine Components
According to Securities Times reports, leading commercial rocket companies such as LandSpace, Galactic Energy, Space Transportation, and Deep Blue Aerospace have widely adopted 3D printing technology to produce core engine components like thrust chambers and nozzles on a large scale. Listed companies including Farsoon Technologies and Bright Laser Technologies are taking the lead in the aerospace 3D printing sector, while multiple publicly traded firms are expanding into related businesses through mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. In workshops of 3D printing service providers like FalconTech, large-scale laser printers are producing components nearly one meter in diameter for well-known domestic commercial aerospace companies. Despite rapid industry growth, challenges remain, including high costs of premium consumables and equipment depreciation, as well as a lack of unified industry standards. According to the "2026 China Commercial Aerospace 3D Printing Technology Development Blue Book," the domestic commercial aerospace 3D printing market is projected to exceed 15 billion yuan by 2027 and surpass 30 billion yuan by 2030.
2026-07-10
Japan's DAIHEN Launches First WAAM Metal 3D Printer ArcBuilder 3D
DAIHEN, one of Japan's eight major heavy electrical machinery manufacturers, announced in May 2026 the establishment of its Advanced Materials Processing Division and the launch of its self-developed metal 3D printing system, the ArcBuilder 3D. The system utilizes Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology, marking the first introduction of this technology in Japan. Compared to mainstream powder bed fusion technologies, WAAM can increase manufacturing speed by several to dozens of times, making it suitable for rapid production of large metal components such as ship propellers and rocket nozzles. Leveraging its years of expertise in electric welding, DAIHEN has addressed issues of arc spatter and excessive heating. The maximum build volume is a 1.5-meter cube, with forming efficiency 24% higher than traditional welding. The company plans to sell in the Japanese market in 2026, expand to Europe and the U.S. in 2027, and aims for a revenue target of 10 billion yen (approximately $63 million) by 2030.
2026-07-09
CuCrNb-42 Achieves 35.5% Elongation, Surpassing NASA Supply Chain: Asia New Material’s SLM+HIP Breakthrough and Four Copper-Based AM Solutions Explained
In high-end manufacturing, material selection often involves trade-offs: extreme thermal conductivity sacrifices strength, while pursuing strength compromises conductivity or heat resistance. Leveraging the technical expertise of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Asia New Material has broken the 'impossible triangle' with verified data: pure copper achieves thermal conductivity of 442 W/(m·K), CuCrZr delivers tensile strength of 586 MPa and electrical conductivity of 76% IACS, CuCrNb-42 via SLM+HIP consistently reaches 35.5% elongation with 68% reduction of area, and CuSn12Ni2 attains tensile strength of 692 MPa combined with wear resistance. From powder source to as-printed parts, these four copper-based solutions cover the full spectrum of thermal management, structural, high-temperature, and wear-resistant applications.
2026-07-09
