Avimetal Boosts Industrial Metal 3D Printing with Major Expansion in Xuzhou and Beijing

Avimetal, a prominent subsidiary of Beijing-based Jingcheng Electromechanical, has recently announced significant expansions that are poised to reshape its position within the global additive manufacturing (AM) landscape. The company has inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility in the Xuzhou Economic Development Zone, dedicated to accelerating its metal 3D printing operations. This expansive 8,000 square meter plant is designed not only to dramatically increase the production capacity of Avimetal’s advanced metal 3D printers but also to serve as a crucial hub for groundbreaking new product development and the relentless pursuit of process optimization. With an ambitious target of producing over 300 machines annually, this strategic move is a clear testament to Avimetal’s commitment to strengthening its presence and leadership in the competitive industrial AM market.

A New Hub for Industrial Metal 3D Printing Production

The establishment of the Xuzhou facility marks a pivotal moment for Avimetal. Located within a rapidly developing economic zone, the plant leverages strategic geographical advantages and robust infrastructure to support high-volume manufacturing. This new production site is equipped with cutting-edge technology and streamlined assembly lines, ensuring that each metal 3D printer meets Avimetal’s stringent quality standards. Beyond mere production, the Xuzhou plant is envisioned as an innovation incubator. It will house teams dedicated to refining existing printer models, exploring novel AM technologies, and optimizing manufacturing workflows to achieve greater efficiency and precision. This comprehensive approach is expected to not only boost output but also to foster continuous improvement in Avimetal’s product offerings, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industrial metal additive manufacturing.

Beijing Headquarters: Fostering Innovation and Efficiency

Concurrent with the Xuzhou expansion, Avimetal has also strategically relocated its corporate headquarters to a new, dedicated facility in Beijing. This move signifies a consolidation of its intellectual capital and operational core. The new Beijing headquarters is meticulously designed to function as the central nervous system for Avimetal’s extensive research and development initiatives. It will be the primary convergence point for its specialized teams focusing on powder materials, advanced AM systems, and industrial software development. This strategic centralization is anticipated to significantly streamline internal logistics, enhancing communication and collaboration across different departments. The improved operational efficiency gained from this relocation is crucial for Avimetal as it continues its aggressive expansion, diversifying its product portfolio, and cultivating a growing global customer base. By fostering a more integrated R&D environment, the company aims to accelerate innovation cycles and bring new solutions to market more rapidly.

Avimetal’s Vertically Integrated Approach to Additive Manufacturing

Since its inception in 2015, Avimetal has championed a vertically integrated production network across China, a strategy that underpins its comprehensive control over the entire additive manufacturing value chain. This network comprises three primary facilities, each specialized in critical aspects: advanced powder production, cutting-edge machine development, and robust full-system support. This vertical integration allows Avimetal to meticulously control the quality, consistency, and cost of its offerings from raw material to final printed part. The company’s prowess in material science is evident in its current production of over 200 types of high-performance metal powder alloys. This extensive catalog includes essential materials such as titanium and aluminum, known for their strength-to-weight ratio; cobalt-chrome, vital for medical and dental applications; and challenging refractory metals like tungsten and molybdenum, indispensable in high-temperature and extreme environments. These diverse materials empower a vast array of AM applications across critical industries, including aerospace, medical, tooling, and energy. With the recent facility upgrades and strategic investments, Avimetal anticipates a substantial increase in its total annual powder output, projected to exceed an impressive 5,000 tons. This massive scale-up not only secures its supply chain but also positions Avimetal as a major global supplier of high-quality metal powders, catering to the growing demands of industrial additive manufacturing worldwide.

Advancing Metal AM Hardware with Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Avimetal made its significant foray into the additive manufacturing hardware space in 2021, marking its entry with the launch of four sophisticated Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) machines. This technology is a cornerstone of industrial metal 3D printing, known for its ability to produce highly dense, complex geometries with excellent mechanical properties. Avimetal’s flagship system stands out in the market, boasting an extraordinary build volume of 1250 x 1250 x 1500 millimeters. This monumental build envelope, coupled with support for up to 12 lasers working simultaneously, makes it exceptionally well-suited for manufacturing large, intricate, and high-performance metal parts that are critical in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and heavy industry. Such a capability drastically reduces the need for assembly of smaller components, thereby enhancing part integrity and reducing production time and costs. As production at the new Xuzhou facility ramps up to full capacity, Avimetal is strategically positioned to scale access to these advanced L-PBF systems. This expansion is designed to significantly increase the availability of these high-performance machines for both its domestic Chinese clientele and its burgeoning global customer base, further solidifying its reputation as a leading provider of industrial AM solutions.

China’s Strategic Push: Avimetal at the Forefront

As a state-owned enterprise, Avimetal embodies a crucial component of China’s broader national strategy to achieve global leadership in advanced manufacturing and materials innovation. The substantial expansion in Xuzhou and the consolidation of its Beijing headquarters are not merely corporate growth initiatives but integral elements of a national endeavor. This broader strategy is focused on significantly strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabilities and substantially reducing reliance on external, often vulnerable, global supply chains. For Avimetal, these new investments highlight its increasingly pivotal role in industrial-scale additive manufacturing, positioning it as a key player in shaping China’s technological independence. The company’s commitment extends beyond profit, aiming to contribute fundamentally to building a more competitive, resilient, and self-sustaining manufacturing ecosystem within China, capable of meeting domestic demands and asserting its technological prowess on the world stage. This strategic alignment underscores the profound impact Avimetal’s advancements have on both its commercial success and its contribution to national technological aspirations.

Avimetal’s recent expansion marks a significant milestone in its journey to dominate the industrial metal 3D printing sector. From vastly increased production capabilities for its advanced L-PBF machines in Xuzhou to centralizing its innovative R&D efforts at its new Beijing headquarters, the company is strategically positioning itself for accelerated growth and technological leadership. By enhancing its vertically integrated operations and scaling its output of high-performance metal powders, Avimetal is not only catering to a burgeoning global demand but also playing a critical role in China’s strategic push for advanced manufacturing autonomy. These developments underscore Avimetal’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and establishing a more robust and self-reliant industrial future. What do you think about Avimetal’s recent expansion and its implications for the global AM market? We invite you to share your insights in a comment below or join the discussion on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here to receive the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos and more in-depth content on our YouTube channel.