A Groundbreaking Achievement in Nuclear-Grade Manufacturing: H3D's Longyan 400 Metal 3D Printer Earns Nuclear Certification

Panda3dp.com guide:3D printing is rapidly transforming into a revolutionary manufacturing approach within the nuclear energy industry.

On November 29, 2024, the "Certification Results Launch Conference for the Longyan 400 Metal 3D Printer for Nuclear-Grade Applications" was held in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province. The event was attended by key figures from the Zhongshan Science and Technology Bureau, the China Nuclear Power Institute, and several nuclear energy manufacturing enterprises.

During the ceremony, Luo Ying, a leading expert from the China National Nuclear Corporation, announced the certification verdict. Chen Ping, Deputy Director of the Additive Manufacturing Center at the China Nuclear Power Institute, presented the certification to Liu Jianye, General Manager of H3D. The previous day, a certification review meeting was convened, attended by experts from eight institutions, including China Commercial Aircraft Engine Co., Ltd., the National Special Processing Machine Tool Standardization Technical Committee, the National Additive Manufacturing Product Quality Inspection and Testing Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Sichuan University, Beijing University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen University, and the China Nuclear Power Institute. The panel unanimously agreed that the Longyan 400 model met all technical and operational requirements, confirming its eligibility to manufacture nuclear-grade products. This milestone establishes the Longyan 400 as the first domestically certified metal 3D printer for nuclear-grade applications, signifying its readiness for nuclear-grade product manufacturing.

The potential applications of additive manufacturing in the energy sector, especially nuclear energy, are vast. Given the critical nature of nuclear-grade products, ensuring safety and reliability is paramount, with stringent demands on manufacturing quality control and equipment reliability. Conventional metal 3D printers often lack operational stability and real-time monitoring capabilities, failing to meet the high standards required for nuclear-grade production. In collaboration with the China Nuclear Power Institute, H3D developed the "Longyan Series" printers, incorporating advanced measures such as melt pool monitoring systems to enhance operational stability and ensure process quality control. The Longyan 400 boasts complete independent intellectual property rights, representing a seamless integration of nuclear energy and advanced manufacturing to advance new productivity paradigms.

In his keynote address, Chen Ping highlighted that this successful collaboration marks a pivotal leap in the convergence of additive manufacturing technology and the nuclear energy sector. It also lays a solid foundation for the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation, driving transformative advancements. He echoed President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on leveraging technological innovation to construct a modernized industrial system, fostering new industries, models, and growth engines through disruptive and frontier technologies.

The synergy between advanced nuclear energy and additive manufacturing aligns with national development strategies, addressing the demand for high-level scientific autonomy and contributing to sustainable, high-quality growth. This partnership exemplifies the commitment to driving technological innovation and industrial upgrading through collaborative efforts.

Wang Yi, Deputy General Manager of H3D’s R&D Center, provided a detailed account of the Longyan 400’s certification process and expert evaluations. He elaborated on the key aspects of the melt pool monitoring system, quality control measures, and the critical stages of installation and operational validation. Over four years of dedicated research and development, the teams at H3D and the China Nuclear Power Institute have relentlessly tackled technical challenges, allocating substantial resources to validate, refine, and optimize the application of 3D printing in nuclear-grade contexts. The successful certification demonstrates H3D's exceptional expertise in technological innovation and quality assurance, setting a new benchmark in the industry.

He Gening, Lead Scientist at the China Nuclear Power Institute’s Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, emphasized that additive manufacturing epitomizes a transformative productivity force, underpinning the nuclear industry’s transition to advanced industrialization and digitalization. The technology provides new solutions for managing the full lifecycle of nuclear energy equipment while enhancing its comprehensive performance. The institute’s sustained dedication to additive manufacturing research underscores its promising applications in the nuclear sector.

At the conference, Luo Ying reiterated the Longyan 400’s superior technical performance and practical value.

H3D’s General Manager Liu Jianye expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that the collaboration reflects the teams' innovation and perseverance. He envisions the partnership as a stepping stone toward broader applications of metal 3D printing in the nuclear sector, contributing significantly to the advancement of nuclear power and strategic reactor technologies. H3D remains committed to innovation, aiming to enhance its technological capabilities and bolster industry growth.

Guests at the conference toured H3D’s new 45,000-square-meter facility in Zhongshan, a hub for high-end equipment production, specialized powder manufacturing, and advanced R&D. They witnessed live demonstrations of the Longyan 400, including real-time operation of its melt pool monitoring system. The facility also showcased applications across aerospace, nuclear energy, 3C molds, and medical industries, earning widespread acclaim for H3D’s technical and innovative prowess.

The successful conclusion of this event underscores H3D’s deep expertise and innovative leadership in metal 3D printing. This breakthrough not only represents a significant advancement in nuclear energy applications but also marks a critical milestone in the development of metal additive manufacturing. H3D remains dedicated to advancing holistic solutions in metal 3D printing, encompassing equipment, software, core components, novel materials, and innovative processes. By fostering collaboration across industries, the company is poised to lead the next era of productivity.