On June 28, 2022, it was discovered on the kickstarter crowdfunding platform that the top 5 global crowdfunding 3D printer projects with the highest amount of funds all came from Chinese manufacturers, with Anker Innovation's AnkerMake M5 3D printer project raising the highest amount of $8.88 million (nearly RMB 60 million), further indicating the absolute advantage of domestic desktop level 3D printers globally.
(Special reminder from Antarctic Bear: The sales of 3D printers on crowdfunding platforms are only a portion of the total sales of manufacturers, and more products are sold through e-commerce and other channels.)
It is worth noting that these 5 leading manufacturers are all from Shenzhen, China. As an important additive manufacturing industry cluster in China, Shenzhen has initially formed an industrial ecosystem covering the entire chain of materials, devices, software, equipment, and application services. The rich application scenarios in the manufacturing industry also provide broad market space and opportunities for the innovation drive and industrial development of 3D printing technologies such as desktop level melt deposition modeling (FDM). In this article, the Antarctic Bear introduces these five domestically produced 3D printers, which are well-known overseas, in order to provide readers with a more systematic understanding of their respective functional characteristics and detailed information on their manufacturers.
First place: AnkerMake M5
Crowdfunding: $8881095 (approximately RMB 59.37 million)
Number of Supporters: 11313
Shenzhen Anker Innovation, as a global high-quality intelligent charging expert, has always been known for its charging products. Now, the company has expanded from Eufy smart home devices, Soundcore audio, Nebula projectors, and Roav car accessories to the 3D printing field. Anker announced that the newly developed 3D printer AnkerMakeM5 will be launched in September 2022. It is said to be able to solve many problems with 3D printers in the current market, such as speed and long preparation time before printing, which may have a strong impact on the current consumer grade 3D printer market.
AnkerMake M5 is an extrusion 3D printer with a printing speed of 250mm/s. If customers require high-precision products, this speed can be used. The AnkerMake M5 printer is also equipped with a faster mode with an acceleration of up to 2500 mm/s, but this comes at the cost of sacrificing accuracy, resulting in lower accuracy of the final parts and fewer production details. This mode is mainly suitable for prototype manufacturing and toy printing. Anker stated that the average printing time of M5 has decreased by 70% compared to other printers.
Another characteristic of M5 is that the preparation time before printing is very short, obviously it only takes 15 minutes to be ready to start printing. In addition, unlike other 3D printers, AnkerMake does not require people to be around and can use built-in artificial intelligence cameras to monitor printing jobs. If it detects issues such as nozzle blockage, it can send an alarm to the user. No matter where the user is, they can view real-time information of printing jobs through Anke's corresponding app, allowing you to remotely watch printing, record delayed videos of your creations, and automatically pause printing jobs.
△AnkerMake
Second place: Fast Manufacturing Technology Snapmaker 2.0
Crowdfunding: $7850866 (approximately RMB 52.48 million)
Number of Supporters: 7388
Shenzhen Snapmaker Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2016 and is one of the most innovative digital manufacturing tool startups in China. Starting from digital manufacturing, the company combines additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing, and develops ingenious three in one modular desktop manufacturing tools, integrating three technologies of 3D printing, laser engraving and cutting, and CNC engraving. As an extraordinary 3D printer research and development company, its corporate philosophy and product connotation have brought new ideas to the additive manufacturing industry, leading the multi-dimensional thinking of 3D printing additive manufacturing. In 2021, Jingwei China led the investment, and Tongchuang Weiye co invested in A round of tens of millions of financing, and the company entered a new track.
△Three models of Snapmaker 2.0 F. The photo is from Snapmaker.
Snapmaker 2.0 modular three in one 3D printer is perfect for beginners, enthusiasts of customized products, and engineers and designers who want to print large objects or precise parts with excellent printing quality. Snapmaker 2.0 comes in three models: A150, A250, and A350, which allow for the production of large prototypes or multiple smaller objects at once. The A350 provides a maximum construction volume of 320 x 350 x 330 mm. Specifically, this innovative model has the following technical features:
Multi function: Snapmaker 2.0 products are characterized by three in one, modularization and high quality. Users can switch between different functions through quick disassembly and installation, allowing for continuous upgrades and customized modifications. For creative individuals, multiple powerful modules and diverse extension components can be used to form another system. When modular components are damaged, they can also be quickly located and replaced, saving more maintenance time;
Wide processing range: In printing mode, Snapmaker 2.0 can print almost any object from ordinary parts to specific mechanical properties such as toughness, durability, and flexibility. In carving/cutting mode, paper, plywood, leather, acrylic, cardboard, paper, fabric, and even biscuits and coconuts can be processed;
Good durability: All Snapmaker models have good durability. Snapmaker 2.0 further breaks the boundaries of all metal structures, with all modules and main components made of high-strength metal. For example, the controller board and power adapter both use an aluminum alloy casing for better heat dissipation. The original POM rollers have been upgraded to steel rollers to provide higher load-bearing capacity and stiffness;
High resolution: Snapmaker 2.0 adopts high-precision parts and an overall upgraded design, capable of consistently printing, carving, cutting, and carving objects at high resolution. The machine has a repeatability of 0.005 mm and a return repeatability of 0.01mm;
Easy to operate: Snapmaker 2.0, a 3-in-1 software tailored for Snapmaker 2.0, has powerful features and has undergone multiple iterations and upgrades. The device can also be connected to any configuration with the help of Wi Fi function and USB port for easy use;
Automatic recovery: Snapmaker 2.0 can automatically detect power outages and recover from the location of the interruption, eliminating the need to worry about unexpected power outages. The operator can recover any project and always obtain perfect printing/carving/cutting/carving results.
Now, Snapmaker has preliminarily completed the expansion and construction of its product ecosystem, with Snapmaker 2.0 three-in-one 3D printer as the core, and then launched modules and expansion components such as outer cover, air purifier, rotating module, 10W high-power laser module, emergency stop switch, and docking station, providing consumers with safety, reliability, and professionalism in all aspects.
Third place: Tuozhu Technology - BambuLab X1
Crowdfunding: $6721996 (approximately RMB 44.94 million)
Number of Supporters: 5366
△ End crowdfunding with the last day or two left
Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2020 and is a new start-up company founded by a group of 3D printer enthusiasts with a deep research and development background. The team has top experts in mechanical/mechanical design, motion control, machine vision, artificial intelligence, computational mechanics, embedded software, cloud computing, and other fields.
The latest high-speed multi-color 3D printer released by Tuozhu Technology, Bambu Lab X1, has many core highlights:
High performance materials: support high-temperature and high-strength materials such as carbon fiber reinforced nylon and polycarbonate, which were previously limited to industrial grade products.
Multi color and multi material: Supports up to 16 color 3D printing, with a rich color and material matrix to bid farewell to the black and white era in 3D printing.
Ultra high speed printing: 20000 mm/s2 acceleration and 500 mm/s printing speed, one order of magnitude higher than current industry standards.
Built in LiDAR: Equipped with a micro LiDAR with a resolution of up to 7 microns, achieving high-precision closed-loop control of the printing process.
Support materials: Use easily peelable or soluble support materials to solve the support peeling problem that has plagued 3D printing for many years.
Energy conservation and environmental protection: reducing carbon emissions by 80% and plastic waste by 20%.
Artificial intelligence: 43 sensors covered in the body, combined with the NPU of the main chip, achieve fully automatic dual redundant leveling, extrusion compensation, vibration suppression, component self inspection and other automated functions.
Fourth place: Intelligent Pi Technology - legooJupiter
Crowdfunding: $4740248 (approximately RMB 31.69 million)
Number of Supporters: 5118
Shenzhen Elegao Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2015 in Shenzhen, China. It is an award-winning technology brand dedicated to providing customers with highly functional and cost-effective 3D printing solutions. From 3D printers and programs to basic accessories such as resins, cleaning and curing machines, and Arduino software, Elegoo focuses on providing customers with high-quality products and unparalleled customer service.
In the past six years, Elegoo has expanded globally, with its products used in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. The development of this global business benefits from cooperation with global e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Alibaba, and AliExpress, allowing customers to easily purchase products. Since its establishment, Elegoo has also received extensive media coverage abroad, won multiple awards, and appeared in important publications such as Forbes, ZDNET, and All3DP. Products are also frequently mentioned and emphasized by industry influencers, including well-known YouTube channels such as UncleJessy, Tested, and Thomas Sanderer. Undoubtedly, as a heavyweight product under Intelligent Technology, ELEGOO Jupiter carries the hopes and dreams of countless developers and designers, and is a "masterpiece" that gathers advanced manufacturing technology and innovative design concepts. Once launched, it has been highly sought after by the industry and has become a key focus of the industry.
This 6K resolution high-precision MSLA 3D printer has the following characteristics:
Large volume and high accuracy: In general, the larger the printing size of a UV curing printer, the lower the pixel density, and low resolution light sources cannot achieve high-precision printing. Jupiter is equipped with a 12.8-inch 6K LCD screen, which allows for large and high-quality printing models. With this machine, users will be able to print models up to 277.8mm x 156.0mm x 300mm.
All metal structure: All modules and main components of the fuselage are made of high-strength metal. The body is made of sheet metal, which has high strength, resistance to aging, and is not easily scratched. Door handles and other areas are made of aluminum alloy shells, making the product more fashionable and lightweight;
5.0 inch brand new touch capacitive screen: 5.0 inch high-definition capacitive screen, more convenient to watch and touch, simple to operate, no delay or lag during operation, easy human-machine interaction, support for multiple different languages, bringing a brand new user experience;
Automatic feeding: The feeding trough is equipped with an automatic feeding port, and comes with an automatic feeding bottle cap. It is installed in a built-in way to transport/supply resin at any time, so there is no need to worry about printing stopping due to resin depletion during the printing process. (Using the principle of equal atmospheric pressure inside and outside, when the resin amount in the material tank is insufficient, the feeding port will automatically supply resin to prevent printing from suddenly stopping.)
Ball screw: The Z-axis adopts high-quality ball screw, which runs smoothly and is durable. The entire printing process is quiet and noiseless (as low as 60 decibels). The four slider design enhances its positioning accuracy, increases the printing success rate, and facilitates ultra high precision printing. Most importantly, its service life is longer than that of ordinary screw rods.
Odor control: The Jupiter is equipped with a built-in mini air purifier, which can adsorb and filter irritating resin odors with activated carbon. During the printing process, an internal circulation is formed in the relatively enclosed space of the chassis, continuously filtering the gas generated during printing, providing you with a fresh and safe user experience. This is a very thoughtful design and a rare configuration in UV cured 3D printers.
Humanized design: Both the construction board and material trough are equipped with handles and handles, with additional handles on the side of the body. Built-in lighting - controlled by the touch screen to switch on and off the lighting, the diffuse light source ensures uniform and soft light, eliminates dark areas, and is closer to nature, taking care of your eyes. LED patches provide a long service life. Modular design - The outer shell, Mono screen, and z-axis of the upper part of the machine's midplane can be disassembled and assembled, making it easy to replace screens and other parts and meet subsequent DIY requirements. DIY expansion - The Jupiter machine will open source hardware structure and modular design, allowing users to explore more interesting DIY; At the same time, the official will continue to develop relevant expansion kits for consumers to choose from.
Fifth place: Creative 3D Reality CR-6 SE
Crowdfunding: $4325342 (approximately RMB 28.94 million)
Number of Supporters: 10401
CREATITY 3D is a 3D printer brand under Shenzhen CREATIVE 3D Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2014. It is an emerging domestic 3D printer supplier specializing in overseas markets, with products covering "FDM and UV curing". The CR-6 SE was their first crowdfunding 3D printer, which raised approximately $4.3 million and over 10000 supporters on Kickstarter as soon as it was launched. The system is equipped with some clever innovations aimed at solving common problems commonly found in consumer grade FDM printers.
In order to solve the old problem of bed surface leveling, the new machine provides a built-in "no leveling device" that utilizes intelligent pressure sensors to continuously and automatically level the bed surface, so that users do not have to do this work. In December 2021, Vancouver 3D printing automation technology developer 3DQue announced the launch of a matching new Quinly automation kit for CR-6 SE. This Quinly kit can activate the printer's platform leveling system and the printer's filament jump sensor, making reliable multi day printing operations without any manual user input. The software even notifies the operator when the material is used up or when maintenance is needed to level the bed.
In addition, this machine can build 235 × two hundred and thirty-five × A volume of 250 mm, featuring a modular nozzle design and a silent Trinamic controller and cooling fan from the STM32F103RET6 chipset, a silicon carbide glass hotbed platform, dual Z-axis design, and a weight of only 9.5 kg. The machine utilizes a Phtoelectricfiltration sensor to ensure smooth printing, as well as a 4.3 inch high-definition color LCD touch screen. The machine is priced at 375 pounds (approximately 3274 yuan).
△ CreatitCR-6SE 3D printer. Photo from Creativity
Consumer grade 3D printing, with China occupying an absolute dominant position
On September 8, 2021, as a professional 3D printing platform in China, Antarctic Bear organized a consumer grade 3D printing "exchange dinner" in Shenzhen, receiving support from a group of leading upstream and downstream manufacturers of the consumer grade 3D printer industry chain. Their total equipment shipment in 2020 was nearly 2 million units.
▲The representatives of enterprises participating in this consumer level 3D printing exchange conference have already accounted for half of the global market, from left to right:
●Xiao Guoyue, General Manager of Shenzhen Yongchanghe (3D Printing Resin Materials)
●Ouyang Xin, Co Founder and Vice General Manager of Shenzhen Zongwei Cube ANYCUBIC (FDM/LCD/DLP 3D Printer)
●Liu Jianwen, General Manager of Shenzhen Pengji Optoelectronics (LCD Screen/Optical Machine)
●Liu Huilin, co-founder and deputy general manager of Shenzhen Chuangxiang 3D Creativity (FDM/LCD 3D printer)
●Pei Wenjian, Founder and General Manager of Zhejiang Flash Casting Technology (FDM/LCD/DLP/Wax Spray 3D Printer)
●Yang Yihu, Founder and Chairman of Shenzhen Guanghua Weiye eSUN Eason (FDM Wire, 3D Printing Resin Materials)
●Li Haixiong, Editor in Chief of Antarctic Bear 3D Printing Network
●Ouyang Lu, co-founder and general manager of Shenzhen Zongwei Cube ANYCUBIC (FDM/LCD/DLP 3D printer)
●Chen Chun, co-founder and general manager of Shenzhen Chuangxiang 3D Creativity (FDM/LCD 3D printer)
●Li Zebin, Founder and General Manager of Shenzhen Atomstack (Elastic Material FDM 3D Printer)
●Hong Yingsheng, Founder and General Manager of Shenzhen Intelligent Pielegoo (FDM/LCD 3D Printer)
●Chen Xuedong, co-founder and general manager of henzhen Snapmaker (multifunctional 3D printer)
●Qu Yuhui, co-founder of Zhejiang Flash Casting Technology (FDM/LCD/DLP/wax spray 3D printer)
After three rounds of wine inspections, various manufacturers reached a certain consensus during the previous dinner:
1. We must persist in being a '3D printing evangelist'. For example, through joint competitions and activities such as 3D printing entering schools, promoting the further popularization of 3D printing technology and expanding the entire market.
2. We need to continue investing in research and development, strengthen technological innovation, create greater value for users, enhance brand value, and break industry barriers.
3. We need to deepen the application of 3D printing in the industry, promote the rooting, flowering, and results of 3D printing technology in various industries.
4. We need to unite to carry out product standardization construction. Emphasize product certification, improve product quality, and enhance potential users' confidence in 3D printing technology.
5. We need to strengthen product innovation and encourage harmony but diversity.
6. In addition to normal market competition, various manufacturers should also strengthen cooperation and jointly promote the healthy and healthy development of the 3D printing industry.
Now in June 2022, less than a year has passed, China has seen the emergence of two consumer grade 3D printing dark horses, Shenzhen Anke Innovation and Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology. Through product crowdfunding, it has gained international recognition, and the industry has changed too quickly. The Antarctic bear hopes that industry manufacturers can unite in competition and develop more healthily and sustainably together.
