Dr. Strange's Highlights from the First 3D Printing Farm Conference: Current Status and Future Prospects of 3D Printing Farms

PanDen 2024-9-1 23:51 Business

On August 28, 2024, the inaugural 3D Printing Farm Conference, hosted by Panda3dp.com, was successfully held in Shenzhen. Dr. Strange (real name Zhang Ximing) from Fujian Wanxiang 3D Technology Co., Ltd.(福建万象三维科技有限公司) was the first keynote speaker, offering an insightful analysis of the current status and future development trends of 3D printing farms. This conference attracted farm owners and industry experts from across the country, creating a vibrant atmosphere with frequent exchanges of ideas.

△ First 3D Printing Farm Conference

△Dr. Strange (real name Zhang Ximing) from Fujian Wanxiang 3D Technology Co., Ltd.

Industry Data Analysis

During his presentation, Dr. Strange mentioned that there are currently over 2,000 3D printing farms nationwide, with an estimated total of over 50,000 devices in operation. He noted that over the past 20 years, the total number of 3D printing devices in China was just over 10,000. However, in just two short years, the number of 3D printing farms and their equipment has skyrocketed, demonstrating the immense potential of the industry.

Dr. Strange emphasized the rapid expansion of 3D printing farms, citing his research, which shows that within the last six months alone, the number of devices has quintupled. Such growth is nearly unimaginable in traditional manufacturing sectors. He also highlighted that approximately 90% of these devices come from Bambu Lab(拓竹), showcasing its dominance in the field.

These farms are primarily concentrated in regions with developed toy wholesale markets, such as Yiwu and Shantou, where equipment growth has been particularly pronounced. For instance, the number of devices in Yiwu surged from a few hundred to three to four thousand within two months, and the increase in Shantou's Chenghai District has been equally significant. This rapid expansion has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to the 3D printing industry.

Types and Characteristics of 3D Printing Farms

Based on recent field research (covering two provinces and 21 farms over seven days), Dr. Strange categorized the different types of 3D printing farms and analyzed their characteristics. Depending on the number of devices, 3D printing farms can be divided into the following categories:

1. Small Studios with 5 to 30 Devices: These studios typically follow an original route, with a certain amount of private traffic, suitable for part-time or full-time operations. Dr. Strange noted that these farms are characterized by quick payback periods and high-profit margins. For example, a farm with five devices can achieve a monthly turnover of 20,000 CNY.

2. Small Farms with 10 to 50 Devices: This is currently the most common type of farm, relying on support from larger farms. These farms are usually operated from the owner's home, with their competitive edge lying in low-cost outsourcing, making them ideal for part-time entrepreneurs. Dr. Strange pointed out that many teachers and office workers choose this model, utilizing their spare time for production.

3. Small Farms with 30 to 100 Devices: These farms are typically operated full-time, with their own e-commerce or offline sales channels. While meeting their sales needs, they also use their excess capacity for outsourcing. Dr. Strange emphasized that farm owners of this type need a certain level of marketing skills to better promote their products.

4. Medium Farms with 100 to 300 Devices: These farms generally require industrial premises and full-time employees, leading to higher operational costs. Dr. Strange indicated that due to high management and operational costs, these farms face more challenges in production, particularly in equipment maintenance and human resource management. Although their price competitiveness is relatively weak, they still benefit from economies of scale.

5. Large Farms with 500 to 1,000 Devices: These farms face issues such as scattered facilities and rising costs. Dr. Strange mentioned that many large farm owners failed to plan effectively during expansion, resulting in dispersed resources that hinder overall operational efficiency. These farms often struggle with insufficient capacity, forcing them to continually expand their equipment base.

6. Super Farms with Over 1,000 Devices: These are rare and still face challenges related to capacity constraints. Dr. Strange noted that these super farms often need to strike a balance between equipment and orders to ensure production efficiency.

In general, as farm sizes increase, management and operational costs gradually rise, particularly due to the additional costs associated with scattered facilities, making large farms less competitive in pricing.

Survival Strategies for Small Farms

When discussing the future of small part-time outsourcing farms, Dr. Strange expressed that these small farms will not disappear. On the contrary, they can leverage their low-cost competitive advantage to carve out a niche in the market. He pointed out that small farms can remain vibrant by taking on localized orders or subcontracting work from large farms. For instance, some small farm owners have secured a stable source of orders by collaborating with large farms.

Dr. Strange also mentioned that the phenomenon of "banding together for warmth" is prevalent in the industry. Many farm owners choose to cooperate when faced with large orders, jointly completing production tasks. This collaborative model not only improves production efficiency but also enhances the overall competitiveness of the industry.

Industry Challenges and Response Strategies

While the future of the 3D printing industry is bright, Dr. Strange also highlighted the numerous challenges within the industry. These include the depreciation of equipment, intensifying market competition, and the instability of the materials supply chain. Dr. Strange suggested that farm owners focus on equipment maintenance and management, increase production efficiency, and actively explore new market opportunities.

He emphasized that future success lies in innovation and adaptability. 3D printing farms need to continuously adjust their production strategies to keep pace with market changes and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving environment.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

In forecasting the future of 3D printing farms, Dr. Strange made several important predictions. He anticipates that by the end of this year, the total number of 3D printing devices in farms nationwide will reach 80,000 to 100,000. Over the next two years, this number could skyrocket to 400,000 to 500,000 devices. This growth is primarily driven by several factors:

First, as the cost of PLA materials decreases, farm operating costs will further decline. Currently, the price of PLA raw materials is about 20,000 CNY per ton, but in the next one to two years, with the increase in global production capacity, the price could drop to below 10 CNY per kilogram. This will significantly reduce the cost of 3D printing, providing greater profit margins for farm owners and enabling more small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the field.

Second, the selection of devices will increase, and the cost of using machines in farms will also decrease. Currently, most 3D printing farms rely on Bambu Lab's equipment, but as other equipment manufacturers gradually catch up, farm owners will have more choices, thereby reducing equipment procurement costs.

Furthermore, Dr. Strange predicted that the variety of 3D printing materials will become more diverse, and application scenarios will expand further. This means that 3D printing technology will be applied in more industries, driving the overall development of the sector. Notably, numerous "small and exquisite" original studios will emerge, characterized by personalized and differentiated products, further enriching the 3D printing market. Moreover, as technology advances, more industries will begin adopting 3D printing, especially in areas such as toys and household goods, where market demand will continue to grow.

△Dr. Strange's printed model of "Black Wukong".

Finally, Dr. Strange addressed the survival of small part-time farms. He believes that while large farms dominate in securing orders, small farms can still maintain a foothold in the market through low-cost and flexible operational models. These small farm owners can stay competitive by accepting outsourcing orders from large farms or focusing on localized, small-scale custom orders.

Conclusion

Through his presentation at the conference, Dr. Strange provided attendees with deep insights into the 3D printing farm industry, combining specific data with industry trends to showcase the future development trajectory of this promising market. As the number of devices increases, material costs decrease, and market demand expands, 3D printing farms are set to enter a new era of growth. Both large and small farms will find their own paths to success in this process, collectively driving the prosperity and progress of the 3D printing industry. As the industry continues to mature, 3D printing farms are poised to embrace even greater opportunities, offering new hope to entrepreneurs.

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