A Hundred-Meter-Class Metal 3D Printer Set for Completion in Tianjin by September 2025, Developed by Beijing Institute of Technology

Source: Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

Metal 3D printing is poised to enter the era of hundred-meter-scale manufacturing!

“The 20-meter-class technology has already reached a relatively mature stage. At present, we are tackling the challenges of scaling to the hundred-meter level and anticipate achieving this within the year,” stated Liu Changmeng, the project leader. Recently, the 20-meter-class, domestically largest metal 3D printer—developed by the School of Mechanical Engineering and Vehicles at Beijing Institute of Technology—has made significant progress. Supported by mobile 3D printing robots, the hundred-meter-class 3D printer is scheduled to be completed this September at the Binhai–Zhongguancun Beitangwan Digital Economy Industrial Park.

Located in Binhai–Zhongguancun, the BIT New Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory is dedicated to advancing “ultra-large-scale metal lattice structure multi-arc parallel 3D printing technology and equipment.” Its independently developed 40-arc parallel additive manufacturing system has already achieved stable production of 20-meter-class large-scale metal lattice structures. Compared with traditional manufacturing methods, this technology offers integrated design and fabrication, support-free manufacturing of complex geometries, and enhanced lightweight capabilities, significantly reducing costs for the production of marine engineering equipment.

Three Core Technological Advantages of ‘Ultra-Large-Scale Metal Lattice Structure Multi-Arc Parallel 3D Printing Technology and Equipment’:

- Freeform Fabrication of Suspended Structures  

  Breaking the constraints of conventional manufacturing, this innovation enables the precise construction of intricate and highly complex geometries, opening new possibilities for lightweight equipment and integrated functional systems.

- Revolutionary Lattice Core Structure  

  By replacing traditional ship hull plates and stiffened panel structures with lattice-core configurations, this breakthrough achieves a 30% reduction in hull weight while offering multifunctional properties such as shock absorption, noise reduction, explosion protection, and enhanced overall performance and safety.

- Breakthrough in Multi-Arc Parallel Printing Equipment  

  Through independent development, a globally advanced ultra-large-scale multi-print-head 3D printing system has been realized, laying a solid foundation for the mass production of marine engineering components.

According to reports, this hundred-meter-class 3D printer will incorporate four additional mobile 3D printing robots, which will perform additive manufacturing for larger-scale products in accordance with programmed instructions. The preliminary phases, including design work, have already been completed, and the team is currently engaged in customized equipment development. Upon its official debut, the system is expected to set a new national record for 3D printing equipment.

Presently, the BIT team is accelerating the application validation of novel marine materials, such as “steel lattice-reinforced concrete structures,” leveraging their pilot-scale platform. They aim to launch a 50-meter-class floating platform by 2025 and have set their sights on constructing the world’s first kilometer-class comprehensive marine energy development platform. Projections estimate that once the project reaches maturity, its first-year revenue could surpass ten million yuan, with major ongoing negotiations potentially elevating this figure to several billion yuan in the future—ushering in a new chapter for the nation’s 3D printing industry landscape.

Looking ahead, the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area plans to further deepen its collaboration with the BIT team, co-establishing integrated platforms for industrial, academic, and research partnerships, jointly applying for scientific research projects and specialized accreditations. They also intend to open equity cooperation for incubated projects, facilitating the efficient transformation of “Beijing-developed” technologies into “Tianjin-manufactured” products, and fully supporting the project’s upgrade from a technology verification base to an advanced structure 3D printing manufacturing enterprise.