On March 20, 2018, Antarctic Bear learned thatBeijing Shiwai Technology, the first domestic manufacturer to launch a ceramic 3D printer, announced the completion of a multi-million angel round financing.Investors include Qidi Star, Qingkong Ginkgo, and Shanghai Yifeng Shengyin.
"Shiwai Technology has solved the pain points of traditional ceramics, such as the inability to process complex structures, long lead times, high costs, and low yield rates, with significant technical barriers. We are very willing to invest in such hard technology projects to support the country's real economy," the investors explained their investment logic.
Shiwai Technology was founded by Tsinghua alumni in 2014. Adhering to the style of 'actions speak louder than words', they develop innovative high-performance products to change the world. They focus on the emerging technology of high-performance ceramic 3D printing. In September 2016, Antarctic Bear reported specifically on this topic with the title 'Domestic Light-Cured Ceramic 3D Printing is Here'.
Ceramics, in addition to everyday items like plates, bowls, and cups, are also widely used in manufacturing fields such as aerospace, medical, semiconductors, and chemicals.
△ Ceramic components 3D printed by Shiwai Technology (after sintering)
However, due to their high-temperature and wear-resistant characteristics, complex ceramic parts are very difficult to process using traditional methods.
Aiming to solve this pain point, Shiwai Technology developed the AUTOCERA 3D printing solution. Currently, they are engaged in extensive cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutions and enterprises in areas such as biomedical (dentistry and orthopedics), precision casting with lost molds, and customization of high-end ceramic products, exploring applications in various fields.
Wan Li, general manager of Shiwai Technology, stated that when they developed high-performance ceramic 3D printing technology, there was very little understanding of this technology in the country. He is pleased to see that in the past two years, more research institutions and enterprises have joined this industry, and ceramic 3D printing is gradually entering a growth period. We will continue to invest in research and application to help the ceramic industry transition to digital and flexible manufacturing.
Principle and process of 3D printing ceramics AUTOCERA technology:
① Using the property of photosensitive resin being polymerized from liquid to solid under specific wavelength ultraviolet light, ceramic powder is bonded and formed. The ceramic powder is mixed with photosensitive resin to ensure uniform particle distribution.
② High-precision DLP light source, exposing layers according to design. Patent image technology combats distortion and deformation, achieving high precision of 50um, while the printing speed is 5-20 times that of laser scanning SLA.
③ Layered stacking, three-dimensional forming, ultra-fine layer thickness control, with a repeat precision of up to 3um, achieving uniform interlayer height.
④ The cured photosensitive resin is completely removed during the sintering heating process, and the ceramic powder is sintered into porcelain.
Qidi Star Venture Capital:
In 2015, it was awarded 'Top 30 Angel Investment Institutions in China 2015' by Qianzhong; the 'Top 10 Excellent Entrepreneurial Service Institutions Award' by Zhongguancun Angel Investment Association in 2015; 'Top 20 Angel Investment Funds in China 2016'; and 'Top 5 Double Innovation Funds in China 2016'.
Focusing on areas such as Internet+, TMT, energy conservation and environmental protection, new materials, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, education and training, smart+, modern services, and large consumption.
Qingkong Ginkgo Venture Capital:
It is a venture capital management institution jointly established by Tsinghua Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Tsinghua Holdings') and the fund management team, with the fund management team holding the majority.
Shanghai Yifeng Shengyin Fund:
Yifeng Investment is a professional asset management company engaged in quantitative investment, with an international and historically outstanding investment management team.
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