Gou: If 3D printing is really useful, my ' Guo ' word is written upside down

Absrtact: If 3D printing is really useful, my Guo Word is written upside down. The public statement by Foxconn's chairman, Terry Gou, is a backdrop to the world's sizzling 3D printing in the current domestic commercial applications, less than the imagination of the good embarrassment. July 2, in the cramped workshop,

"If 3D printing is really useful, my ' Guo ' word is written upside down. "The public statement by Foxconn chairman Terry Gou is a backdrop to the global hype of 3D printing in the current domestic commercial application area, less than the imagination of the beautiful" embarrassment.

July 2, in the workshop of cramped, Wuhan Lakeside electromechanical Technology Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Lakeside electromechanical") general manager Zhou Jianguo reluctantly said: "At present, most of the peer survival is very difficult." "As one of the first companies involved in the 3D printing business, lakeside electromechanical losses year more than the year of profit."

Zijin Electronics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Purple Kinlid") Chairman Lianning also admitted that "our current cash flow and capital structure can only maintain the normal operation of the enterprise." "But it is almost impossible to scale up, add new investments or recycle upfront investment costs." Purple Kinlid is regarded as the largest 3D printing company in China, and it is also the most widely used commercial enterprise in this technology.

"3D printing will not reach the so-called third industrial revolution so exaggerated." "China 3D Printing first person, Tsinghua University, Department of Mechanical Engineering doctoral tutor Gonyong pointed out, but it is at least the modern traditional manufacturing supplement, and at present, market demand is magnified."

In view of this, although the situation is difficult, the lakeside electromechanical is still planning to take place in Wuhan local new plant, and purple Kinlid is also seeking capitalization of the way to solve the current capital bottlenecks.

Loss reality: Mainly by export

Lakeside electromechanical simple display cabinet, placed with nylon material printed out cups, unique bowl, and the future can be used to print shawls. In the company's factory, 3D printer is placed in the air-conditioned room, "each printing one layer, the machine will automatically accumulate a layer, stacking." A cup about 8 cm tall, it takes 5 hours to print. Company staff to the reporter introduction.

The history of the Lakeside electromechanical began in 1991, at that time, Huazhong University of Technology (now Hust) president, machinery Manufacturing expert Huang with school power, rented a 1400 square meters of Huazhong University of Science and Engineering plant, founded the first batch of 3D printing enterprises, the main product is thin laminated rapid prototyping system.

"From the 1994 product began to apply to the commercial field, so far, the company has accumulated sales of various types of machine specifications more than 200 units." "Zhou Jianguo Introduction, the company's 3D printing products, including Lom, LSA, SLS, SLM four kinds of raw materials using paper, liquid materials, nylon plastic ceramics, such as powder and metal materials for printing. However, the company so far the profit situation is not ideal, 2012, the revenue of more than 7 million yuan, a loss of more than 3 million yuan.

From the extension of scientific research institutions to the commercial market, is currently China's most mainstream 3D printing enterprise model. "A group of skilled personnel, the commercialization of its scientific research applications, began to market operation." "Lianning points out.

He represents the emerging 3D printing enterprise. 2007, Lianning with its team at the helm of Nanjing Purple Kinlid, the company by the traditional printer enterprise Jiangsu Zijin Electronics Group Co., Ltd. and Israel Solidimension Company established a joint venture, specializing in the production of desktop-type three-dimensional printer.

But its capacity has been in the unsaturated. "The company designed an annual capacity of 20,000 units, but the actual output is only more than 1000 units." Lianning told reporters that the product in the domestic still basically no market, mainly by export to Europe and the United States, domestic and export ratio of 1:9.

And in the face of more powerful foreign competitors, Zijin is looking for market positioning is lower than the middle of the product, the application areas are industrial design, higher education and biomedical fields, respectively accounted for the 4:4:1.

"4 years after the venture, that is, by 2011, the company began to realize sales revenue, so far the cash flow can only support the normal operation of the company." Lianning sighed.

Huge cost: Insufficient market Size

"In China, the commercial use of 3D printing business has been used for nearly 30 years, but most of the application in the industrial field, the development speed is very slow." Gonyong pointed out that until nearly 3 years, the development of the industry began to accelerate.

So far, the domestic 3D printing production, service, technology and other business enterprises estimated less than 100, of which there are only 20-30 core technology, and last year's market size of less than 100 million U.S. dollars. In addition to the partial market-oriented enterprise profitability is fair, the other enterprise survival environment is difficult.

3D printing can reduce manufacturing costs by about 50%, shorten the processing cycle by 70%, and integrate complex manufacturing into design and manufacturing. This is the reason for its being favored.

"But unlike other industries, 3D printing business model, the more Test enterprise innovation ability and small batch production capacity." Zhou Jianguo to the reporter explained: The enterprise develops the new equipment, may not sell several units in a year, invests the fund not to return, has the new customer to propose the personalized request. The company needs to devote more money to new product development, so the financial pressure is obvious.

"For example, last year, the lakeside electromechanical investment 2 million development of a new product, but the company's total revenue is only more than 7 million yuan, new product development costs, natural impact on the company's performance." "he said.

Violet Kinlid's technology was introduced from abroad, the company was founded when the investment of more than 30 million U.S. dollars, there are 7.5 million U.S. dollars for the payment of patented technology costs. "At the moment, we have a basic grasp of these technologies, but market demand has not yet been fully released," Lianning said. ”

Gonyong also believes that the most suitable for 3D printing enterprises to survive the soil, should be made by China to create China, that is, the state of intellectual property protection strengthened, and the whole nation in education, animation, art and other fields of innovation ability to increase the market scope of 3D printing technology.

But compared with the initial loneliness of the practitioners, today's 3D printing industry is beginning to become lively, and market demand is magnified.

"Our feelings are clear. Zhou Jianguo For example, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University wants to work with the print house, and customers want to find them to print chocolate, and even some aerospace industry demand has begun to increase. The company has planned to take another piece of land in Wuhan to enlarge the scale of production. Lianning also believes that this year's industry growth can reach 20%-30%.

"After last year's international and domestic hype, the current China 3D printing market has been hot." "Lianning, as SDM (Shape deposition molding) technology becomes open, practitioners can only order a full set of spare parts to assemble, to engage in 3D printing business. This has lowered the industry entry threshold, since the second half of last year, a lot of private capital poured into the 3D printing industry. At present, most of the domestic 3D printing enterprises have contact with the wind, purple Kinlid contact of less than dozens of.

But capital is chasing fast money. In early 2010, a small European printer sold at around 25,000 euros, with an industry margin of about 50%. But today, many devices have dropped to more than 10,000 euros, and industry margins have fallen to around 20%. Lianning told reporters, "So when this batch of capital earned a sum, this year has gradually withdrawn from the market." ”

Zhou Jianguo to the reporter reflection: the way of the lakeside electromechanical development market is relatively traditional, mainly by participating in industry meetings, interpersonal promotion mainly, but this year to implement the effect is not ideal. At present, limited by the financial pressure, the company received orders to wait until the customer to pay a deposit after the purchase of materials, production, shipments, etc., the delivery cycle generally reached more than 4 months. "If a reasonable solution to the funds, the company opened up the product business, the market prospects are broader." "he said.

Lianning that the factors that currently plague 3D printing companies include the limitations of printing materials. "Future market demand will be more diversified, will involve people work, life in all aspects of the materials needed." But at present, professional engaged in materials research and development enterprises are not many, often encountered material suppliers difficulties. and data acquisition is also an important part of the 3D industry chain, but the market is not formed at present. ”