3D Printing Innovation Award for 3DTEK: 2.5-Meter 3DP Sand Mold Printer by 3D Printing Technology Drives Industry Upgrade Through Large-Format 3D Casting

3D Printing Innovation Award for 3DTEK: 2.5-Meter 3DP Sand Mold Printer by 3D Printing Technology Drives Industry Upgrade Through Large-Format 3D Casting

On May 20, the 23rd China International Foundry Expo (Metal China) grandly opened at the Tianjin National Convention and Exhibition Center. Beijing 3D Printing Technology,Inc. showcased its large-format 3D casting solutions at the event.

Winner of the 2025 National Foundry Equipment Innovation Award:

2.5-meter 3DP Sand Mold Printer — 3DPTEK-J2500

The award-winning 3DPTEK-J2500 is an industrial-grade sand mold printer independently developed by 3D Printing Technology. It features a build volume of 2500 × 1500 × 1000 mm and a printing precision of ±0.3 mm, making it ideal for producing large castings in industries such as power, shipbuilding, and automotive.

Utilizing piezoelectric inkjet technology, a high-resolution printing system, and a proprietary binder formulation, the printer enables high-precision, cost-effective, large-format integrated casting of complex structures—eliminating accuracy loss caused by traditional segmented joining. Its digital moldless forming technology significantly reduces mold development costs and material waste, helping enterprises lower expenses, improve efficiency, and advance sustainable manufacturing.

Cutting-Edge Foundry Technology: Extra-Large Sand Mold 3D Printing Without Sand Boxes

At the “Advanced Foundry Technologies” Forum held on May 19 during the China Foundry Association Annual Meeting, Jiang Qingjie, General Manager of 3D Equipment Marketing at 3D Printing Technology, delivered a keynote titled “Boxless Extra-Large 3D Printing Technology and Equipment for Casting Sand Molds.” The presentation highlighted the company’s breakthroughs in manufacturing ultra-large castings.

Image: Jiang Qingjie presenting the topic “Boxless Extra-Large 3D Printing Technology and Equipment for Casting Sand Molds.”

To address persistent industry pain points—such as low efficiency, high cost, and quality instability in large-scale casting applications across aerospace, power, and shipbuilding—3D Printing Technology has launched the 3DPTEK-J4000, a boxless, large-format sand mold 3D printer. Featuring flexible regional molding without sand boxes and a maximum build size of 4 meters, the machine offers the following core advantages:

Integrated Forming of Complex Structures:Advanced printheads and intelligent algorithms enable one-time printing of thin walls, multi-curved surfaces, and intricate internal channels (e.g., spiral cooling pathways), overcoming the design limitations of traditional methods.

High Efficiency & Low Cost:Compared to traditional segmented casting, production time is reduced by more than 50%. For instance, a 1.25-ton aluminum alloy casting sees its lead time cut from 60 days to just 15.

Economic Optimization:The equipment is priced comparably to 2.5-meter models. It supports open-source materials, with flexible adjustment of binders and sand to further reduce overall costs.

Image: The 4-meter 3DP Sand Mold Printer — 3DPTEK-J4000

To meet diverse market demands, 3D Printing Technology, leveraging 30 years of powder spreading expertise, has independently developed a complete series of 3DP and SLS sand/wax mold printers, ranging from millimeter-scale to meter-scale models. These machines can accommodate a variety of materials and sizes, offering lower unit costs and shorter delivery times—ultimately maximizing users’ productivity.

Images: 1.6-meter and 1.8-meter 3DP Sand Mold Printers

Image: SLS Sand/Wax Mold Printer

Integrated 3D Casting Services

3D Printing Technology’s proprietary hybrid casting approach—“SLS Coated Sand Forming + 3DP Resin Sand Forming”—has been recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as a typical additive manufacturing application. It enables high-precision, high-strength, one-piece casting of complex components such as large parts, thin-walled sections, and intricate channel systems.

3DP Sand Casting:Moldless process supports mid-to-low volume production of large and complex components in an integrated workflow.

SLS Sand Casting:Achieves sand core strength of 4–6 MPa and dimensional accuracy of 0.1–0.2 mm, ideal for fabricating intricate fluid channels and oil passages.

3D Printing Technology has established a full-spectrum, full-material, and end-to-end rapid manufacturing capability through its 3D casting factories and service centers located in Xianyang (Shaanxi), Daming (Hebei), Pingdingshan (Henan), Yulin (Guangxi), Rizhao (Shandong), Linzhou (Henan), and Tongling (Anhui). The company provides rapid R\&D and batch production of metal parts—including aluminum alloys, copper alloys, cast iron, cast steel, magnesium alloys, high-temperature alloys, and titanium alloys—alongside comprehensive 3D printing services for sand and wax molds. These offerings serve industries such as aerospace, power, marine, automotive, rail transit, and heavy machinery.

Empowering Foundries Through 3D Printing

Through strategic acquisitions and the establishment of in-house casting facilities, 3D Printing Technology has integrated 3D printing with traditional casting processes, forming a replicable and scalable demonstration model. This model helps conventional foundries achieve green, intelligent, and high-end upgrades, in alignment with the national goal of cultivating new productive forces.

3D Printing’s complete 3D casting solution has already achieved mature commercial application in foundry production. Pioneering foundries that embraced 3D casting have successfully established green, flexible, and high-end rapid casting capabilities. These foundries have not only doubled production efficiency, capacity, and revenue but also dramatically enhanced the quality and throughput of high-end complex castings—broadening their service scope and boosting competitiveness in the market.

For Equipment Orders, Please Contact:13811566237