Friction Stir Solid-State Additive Manufacturing Leader AEE (Suzhou) Secures Multibillion-CNY Strategic Investment

In July 2025, Panda3dp.com learned that Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (AEE) has completed a strategic funding round totaling several hundred million CNY. The investment was led by a national industrial fund and joined by key players including JianCNY Zhuopu Fund, Liyang High-Tech Zone Energy Storage Fund, and the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association. This capital injection marks not only a high-level endorsement of AEE’s technical prowess but also a pivotal step forward in global competitiveness for friction stir welding (FSW) and solid-state additive manufacturing (AFSD).

Strategic Investment to Drive Three Core Initiatives

1. R&D Advancement:
Intensify core R&D in FSW and AFSD to overcome critical bottlenecks in material processing.

2. Industrialization & Talent:
Scale up production capabilities and build a global talent matrix to strengthen implementation.

3. Market Expansion:
Accelerate the integration of its technologies into strategic sectors such as commercial aerospace, marine engineering, and artificial intelligence.

With both financial backing and strategic alignment, AEE is rapidly transitioning from a technical frontrunner to an ecosystem enabler.

What Is AFSD?

Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) is a solid-state additive manufacturing method that plastically deforms metals using a rotating tool and applies pressure to build up layers—without melting the material.

At its core lies Friction Stir Welding (FSW): by applying frictional heat via a high-speed rotating tool, metals are brought to a highly plastic state and mechanically stirred together. This prevents microcracks, promotes fine-grain structure, and enhances fatigue strength and ductility.

Advantages Over Traditional Metal AM

1. No Melting = Low Residual Stress
Operating in a solid state avoids the thermal gradients of melt-based methods, minimizing stress and improving dimensional stability.

2. High Density, No Metallurgical Defects
AFSD avoids porosity, segregation, and cracking, yielding nearly 100% dense parts with superior mechanical performance.

3. Ultrafine Grain = Enhanced Strength
The stirring process triggers dynamic recrystallization. Parts exhibit 10–30% higher yield and tensile strength than melt-printed equivalents.

4. Excellent for Hard-to-Process Alloys
AFSD is suitable for aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and superalloys—especially those like 2219 Al and TC4 Ti, which are hard to form by conventional means.

5. Eco-Friendly, Low Energy
Without lasers or electron beams, energy consumption drops by 30–50%, with virtually no harmful emissions.

AFSD vs. Melt-Based AM

Compared to laser-based additive manufacturing, AFSD excels in:

· Process efficiency

· Material compatibility

· Raw material flexibility

· Defect control

· Mechanical performance

This positions it strongly for high-end manufacturing applications.

From “Tech Breakthroughs” to “Defining Standards”

As a subsidiary of CASC 8th Academy (149 Institute), AEE has achieved multiple national and global firsts in both FSW and AFSD, establishing formidable technical barriers.

Examples include:

· China’s first full-length FSW system for rocket tank circumferential welds

· 7.5-meter longitudinal weld systems used across domestic and international aerospace programs

· Thousands of delivered systems, with exports to Germany, France, and the U.S.

World’s First AFSD Rocket Dome Component

AEE developed the first rocket dome structure manufactured using AFSD, demonstrating China’s world-class capability in fabricating large, complex components. The method’s efficiency and performance in aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys hold vast promise for aerospace, maritime, and future tech sectors.

From “National Asset” to “Industrial Empowerment”

This funding round isn't just about money—it's a strategic alliance of national capital and elite engineering capability. It validates AEE's standing as a "little giant" in advanced manufacturing and propels its dual model of “high-end equipment + high-end service.”

AEE has:

· Contributed to major national aerospace projects

· Transferred its technologies into NEVs, rail, and marine sectors

· Achieved real-world deployment of “space-born” innovations into civilian manufacturing

The Breakthrough Maker in High-End Manufacturing

With this new capital, AEE is poised to:

· Consolidate global leadership through technological iteration

· Expand market reach by deepening vertical integration

· Elevate the value chain by building a complete manufacturing ecosystem

The company’s continued advancement in FSW and AFSD will unleash new innovation possibilities, reinforcing its role as a transformative force in the next generation of smart, sustainable, high-end manufacturing.

In this dual context of national strategy and market momentum, AEE’s rise isn’t just a corporate success story—it represents the broader narrative of China’s industrial upgrade and global emergence in cutting-edge manufacturing.