WND company pushes boundaries of metal 3D printing

Falcon Tech in WND, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

When a reusable liquid-fueled rocket developed by Galactic Energy Space Technology reached orbit on Sept 1, several critical components made by a WND company were along for the ride.

The components were produced by Falcon Tech, a company specializing in metal additive manufacturing.

Industrial metal 3D printers use lasers to melt metal powder layer by layer, creating complex components with high precision. The technology serves as a mainstay in the production of components for aerospace, healthcare and automotive applications.

"3D printing can simplify structures, reduce the number of parts and improve reliability," said Xu Tingjie, head of operations planning at Falcon. Fewer parts mean fewer potential failure points, helping rockets fly more reliably. For large aerospace components, Falcon's technology can cut production times from several months to just 15-30 days while reducing weight by 30-50 percent.

Falcon, established in WND in 2012, has entered a period of rapid growth as demand for its technology continues to rise. Its orders on hand increased by 35 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of this year.

Falcon Tech in WND, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

According to Zou Yuhong, Falcon's marketing director, the company has built a mature process database covering more than 40 materials, including titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, high-temperature alloys and copper alloys, enabling it to meet the requirements of a wide range of applications.

Behind that technological capability is sustained investment in R&D, which accounts for around 20 percent of the company's sales revenue.

Falcon Tech in WND, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Beyond aerospace, Falcon is expanding the use of metal 3D printing in civilian applications, including new energy vehicles, industrial robotics and consumer electronics. The company is also developing new applications, including titanium alloy hinges for foldable smartphones and customized medical implants.