The Model Shop Industry Faces Intense Competition, SLS 3D Printing Becomes a New Growth Point: Key Players like Keheng, Youyue, and Ruixian Take Strategic Positions

PanDen 2024-10-26 01:11 Service

Panda3dp.com Guide: The traditional model shop industry has reached a high level of maturity, with CNC machining once dominating the market. However, over the past decade, SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printing technology has been widely adopted, with many model shops incorporating over 500 SLA machines. This intense competition has pushed companies to seek new avenues. In recent years, a fresh trend has emerged, with model shops adopting SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) 3D printers to offer high-performance nylon and other material-based prototype printing services.

SLS is a laser-based additive manufacturing process that fuses powder materials layer by layer. Its most notable feature is that it requires no support structures, allowing for efficient production of complex geometries and functional components. The technology supports a wide range of materials, including polymer and metal powders, making it highly promising for the prototype industry. SLS excels in functional verification and small-batch production, delivering higher precision and durability compared to traditional SLA and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) methods. It also produces stronger components, making it ideal for complex structures and high-performance applications. As a result, SLS has found widespread use in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical devices, and cultural innovation, particularly in the development phases requiring advanced material performance and intricate designs.

As polymer powder materials continue to capture a larger share of the global 3D printing market, SLS technology has become an indispensable tool in manufacturing. Its ability to rapidly iterate designs and reduce production costs has enabled the transition from prototyping to mass production. In this context, companies like TPM3D(盈普三维), a long-established player in the SLS field, have introduced innovative solutions to the model shop industry while leading the global application of SLS technology.

Video: How SLS 3D Printing is Driving Growth in China’s Model Shops

Dongguan Keheng（科恒）: Entering the SLS 3D Printing Service Market in 2018, Unlocking New Growth**

Dongguan Keheng Model Manufacturing Co., Ltd., founded in 2008, is a leading company in the model shop industry. It operates over 800 3D printers, producing more than 20 million parts annually, making it a dominant player in the domestic market and one of the largest SLA equipment owners in China. The company introduced its first SLS 3D printer in 2018. Prior to this, Keheng primarily relied on SLA and FDM technologies to meet customers’ aesthetic component needs. However, as demand for functional components surged in the automotive and consumer electronics industries, Keheng’s chairman, Wen Binghua, quickly recognized the potential of SLS technology. He recalls: “In 2018, we decided to invest in SLS equipment as the market demand for it was rapidly increasing, particularly in the automotive and consumer electronics sectors.”

△TPM3D Installed by Keheng, SLS Industrial 3D Printer of TPM3D.

This strategic move not only allowed the company to meet evolving market needs but also opened new growth opportunities. In recent years, the expanding polymer powder market has made SLS technology a major driver of the company’s growth. The introduction of TPM3D’s SLS equipment has allowed Keheng to achieve breakthroughs in its manufacturing processes, significantly enhancing its competitive edge in rapid product iteration.

Nanjing Youyue 3D(南京优越三维): Focusing on SLS with an Annual Growth Rate of 50%

Since its inception, Nanjing Youyue 3D Technology Co., Ltd. has focused exclusively on SLS printing technology. General Manager Wu Cao reveals that from 2019 to 2024, the company has experienced annual growth rates of 50%, now owning nearly 20 SLS machines. He highlighted the technology’s diverse applications, including a notable case involving the production of complex components for nuclear power plants. SLS technology easily handles the complex internal structures of these components, a challenge for traditional manufacturing techniques.

Wu Cao emphasized, “The potential for SLS technology across industries is immense, especially in the manufacturing of complex components, where its advantages are irreplaceable. Looking ahead, SLS technology will continue to break new ground, further strengthening our partnership with TPM3D.” Youyue 3D’s success mirrors the rapid development of SLS technology in China, and TPM3D’s equipment has become a cornerstone of its applications in the model shop industry.

Shanghai Ruixian Technology(上海睿现科技): Seizing SLS Market Opportunities

Founded in 2013, Shanghai Ruixian Information Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise specializing in industrial-grade 3D printing services. In recent years, Ruixian has significantly enhanced its competitive edge in the model shop market by introducing TPM3D’s SLS equipment. General Manager Shi Yadong remarked, “We first purchased TPM3D’s SLS equipment in 2016. As market demand grew, the SLS process gradually became our second growth curve, now accounting for nearly 70% of our business.”

Ruixian’s experience demonstrates how SLS technology has not only gradually replaced traditional manufacturing methods in the model shop industry but also become the driving force behind the company’s growth. Mr. Shi believes that the future of SLS technology is filled with opportunities, and the company is fully prepared for market expansion.

TPM3D: Driving the Application of SLS Technology

Established in 1999, TPM3D is a pioneering company in the domestic SLS 3D printing industry. For over two decades, the company has been dedicated to the research and promotion of SLS technology. In 2007, TPM3D launched China’s first self-developed SLS machine in Asia, filling a technological gap in the country. Since then, TPM3D has continuously increased its investment in R&D, improving SLS technology in areas such as material selection, printing precision, and production efficiency. In 2014, the company received investment from industry giant Stratasys and formed a joint venture. In 2022, it completed the development and delivery of two large-scale SLS printing systems, and in 2023, it launched an economical industrial-grade SLS system. TPM3D not only provides efficient SLS equipment to domestic enterprises but also serves model manufacturers worldwide through its global presence. TPM3D’s products are widely used in industries such as industrial manufacturing, consumer goods, healthcare, and cultural innovation, meeting the growing market demand.

According to TPM3D, polymer powder materials have surpassed photopolymer resins in market share within the global 3D printing materials market for three consecutive years, underscoring the dominant position of SLS technology. SLS is not only capable of quickly responding to the demand for functional components and complex structures but also facilitates batch production, advancing 3D printing from prototype manufacturing to end-product production.

TPM3D’s success stems from its deep technical expertise and keen understanding of market trends. As new application scenarios continue to emerge, the market potential of SLS technology will only grow further.

Conclusion by Panda3dp.com

Through the experiences of Dongguan Keheng, Nanjing Youyue 3D, and Shanghai Ruixian Technology, it is evident that SLS 3D printing technology has not only enhanced production efficiency in the model shop industry but also unlocked new avenues for business growth. As market demand for complex functional components, and even end-use parts, continues to rise, SLS technology is poised to experience a resurgence, ushering in a new wave of growth opportunities.