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从“绿皮火车”到“高铁”:潮阔的 3D 打印突围|最前线
3 6 Ke· 2025-09-28 04:42
作者 | 吴华秀 编辑 | 袁斯来 十年前,3D 打印机还只是极客卧室里的实验设备。速度慢、精度有限,更多是一种"新奇玩具",难以 承担生产任务。彼时行业由欧美厂商主导,追溯到Stratasys 在上世纪八十年代提出 FDM 成型方法并长 期依靠专利壁垒,垄断设备市场。直到 2008 年前后专利到期,中国厂商才凭借供应链优势进入市场。 当时的产品往往以套件形式销售,售价两三百美元,靠亚马逊、速卖通走向全球,却需要用户花上几十 个小时拼装,效率依旧停留在每秒 50 毫米的"绿皮火车"产品阶段。 "3D 打印行业真正的问题,不在于能不能完成各种模型打印,而在于成型速度能不能快到进入生 产。"申康向36氪总结。他认为,过去十年行业经历的"绿皮火车"阶段,产品在教育和爱好者市场扩 散,却迟迟没有跨过生产力门槛。"如果一台机器一天只能打几个零件,那它注定是玩具,不是工具。" 2015 年,申康从阿里离职,创立了潮阔。他的判断是,一个新兴行业只要问题足够多、增速足够快, 就必然有突破口。起初,潮阔和多数厂商一样依靠低价套件出货,在2017 年"双十一",单日卖出上千 台,实现了短期盈利。但就在行业红利正盛时,他却砍掉了最 ...
从「绿皮火车」到「高铁」:潮阔的3D打印突围|最前线
36氪· 2025-09-25 23:55
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and breakthroughs in the 3D printing industry, particularly focusing on a company named ChaoKuo, which has made significant advancements in printing speed and efficiency, positioning itself as a leader in the consumer-grade 3D printing market [4][5][6]. Industry Evolution - Ten years ago, 3D printers were primarily seen as novelty items with limited speed and precision, dominated by Western manufacturers like Stratasys, which held patents that restricted market entry for others [4]. - The expiration of patents around 2008 allowed Chinese manufacturers to enter the market, initially offering low-cost kits that required extensive assembly, resulting in slow production speeds [4][5]. Company Development - ChaoKuo was founded in 2015 by Shen Kang, who identified the potential for breakthroughs in a rapidly growing industry. Initially, the company relied on low-cost kits but later pivoted to focus on high-speed printing technology [5]. - In 2019, ChaoKuo developed its first high-speed prototype, and by 2020, it launched the SR series, achieving speeds of 150 mm/s, marking a significant milestone in the industry [5][6]. - The introduction of the V400 model in 2022 further increased printing speeds to 600 mm/s, leading to a new era in 3D printing efficiency [5][6]. Technological Advancements - By 2024, ChaoKuo released the Xunyingguang S1 Pro, which reached speeds of 1200 mm/s, becoming the fastest consumer-grade FDM 3D printer globally. This advancement reduced printing time for models from two hours to fifty minutes [6]. - The company is also set to launch the Zhuirizuo T1 Max in 2025, targeting agricultural production scenarios and significantly improving efficiency [6]. Market Dynamics - The global consumer-grade 3D printer market saw a 22% year-on-year increase in shipments in Q1 2025, surpassing 1 million units for the first time, while professional-grade printer shipments declined [6]. - In 2024, China exported 3.778 million 3D printers (excluding components), generating 8.16 billion yuan in revenue, a 32.75% increase year-on-year, with the majority being consumer-grade printers [6][7]. Changing Demand - The demand for 3D printers has shifted from hobbyists to practical applications, with over 80% of devices now used as tools rather than toys. This shift has led to the emergence of new business models and industries [7]. - The cost of materials has decreased significantly, enabling lower production costs and unlocking new possibilities for 3D printing applications [7]. Competitive Landscape - ChaoKuo is not the only player in the high-speed 3D printing market, but its early commitment to speed has differentiated it from competitors like TuoZhu and ChuangXiang SanWei, which have taken different approaches [7]. - The company’s focus on speed and efficiency has allowed it to establish a unique position in the market, transitioning from a hardware manufacturer to a technology-driven industry participant [7].