Ultra-large-scale metal 3D printing is reshaping the core of high-end manufacturing. An in-depth analysis of the LiM-X800 series' industry applications.

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Time：2025-08-20

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As a core driving force reshaping the modern industrial landscape, metal additive manufacturing technology is deeply integrated into the core manufacturing processes of key sectors such as aerospace, energy and power, and automotive manufacturing. LiM Laser's LiM-X800 series of large-scale metal 3D printers, with their ultra-large build volume, groundbreaking process innovations, and stable production, effectively address the core challenges of manufacturing precision, production efficiency, and overall cost for large, complex components, providing a driving force for large-scale industrial manufacturing.

At the same time, the rapid development of national strategic industries such as aerospace, shipbuilding, and rail transportation has placed higher demands on the comprehensive performance, processing accuracy, and production efficiency of large-scale metal 3D printing equipment, directly driving the rapid development and iteration of equipment with meter-scale specifications and above.

After years of technological development and product development, LiM Laser has established a comprehensive lineup of equipment with a forming area of 800mm x 800mm. The LiM-X800 system debuted in 2022, providing powerful support for parts manufacturing in the aerospace and automotive sectors. In 2023, the LiM-X800H system made its grand debut at the TCT ASIA exhibition, focusing on the forming needs of large, long-axis parts, increasing the forming height to 1660mm (including an 80mm standard substrate thickness). In 2024, based on in-depth market insights, we launched the meter-class LiM-X800H+, featuring a Z-axis net forming height of 2500mm, enabling the integrated manufacturing of ultra-high-sized components and providing an optimal solution for ultra-large/long-axis aerospace components.

Aerospace: Breaking Through the Limitations of Complex Component Manufacturing

In the aerospace component manufacturing sector, the LiM-X800 series effectively addresses the manufacturing challenges of large, complex components in terms of forming size, machining accuracy, and overall performance.

LiM Laser uses its large-scale LiM-X800H equipment to manufacture a high-temperature alloy aeroengine pre-swirl nozzle (φ754mm × 151mm). This part utilizes a large-volume lattice structure design, precisely removing solid structures from non-critical areas to achieve lightweighting.

Traditional manufacturing processes present significant processing challenges and high losses for such large, thin-walled components containing complex lattice cavities, making it difficult to ensure structural integrity and consistency. The metal 3D printing solution eliminates the need for mold-based, one-piece molding, significantly streamlining the production process, improving material utilization, and effectively controlling overall costs. The precise lattice structure provides the pre-swirl nozzle with excellent energy absorption properties, making it particularly effective in dissipating the impact and shock loads caused by high-speed engine airflow, ensuring reliable performance for critical aviation components.

The LiM-X800H equipment prints the casing (φ715mm × 300mm), a key aeroengine component. Made of high-temperature alloy, this part features a monolithic annular structure, large dimensions, complex surfaces, thin walls, and weak rigidity. The resulting product exhibits excellent fluid dynamics, high strength, and durability.

Using 3D printing to form components overcomes the difficulties of traditional processes for processing high-strength materials such as high-temperature alloys. This simplifies complex machining steps and allows for direct printing. This not only significantly improves material utilization but also significantly accelerates the development of aerospace components, enabling rapid optimization and iteration of design solutions.

Building on the outstanding performance of the LiM-X800H, the LiM-X800H+ has achieved a Z-axis net build height of 2.5 meters, further increasing the height of components that can be formed. The equipment successfully printed an ultra-high spiral structure measuring 418mm × 362mm × 2210mm. Made of lightweight, high-strength TA15 titanium alloy, the part weighs only 22kg while maintaining its strength.

The LiM-X800H+ achieved 305 hours of continuous, stable printing for a single-piece component, fully demonstrating the equipment's process stability and reliability. This provides strong technical validation for the rapid manufacture of oversized, lightweight structural components in the aerospace and large mold industries.

Automotive Manufacturing: Accelerating R&D and Speeding Up Mass Production

In automotive parts manufacturing, a fully printed automotive connector bracket, manufactured using a customized LiM-X800 machine, demonstrates the significant advantages of metal 3D printing technology in large-scale mass production. The entire component measures 770mm × 790mm × 235mm (excluding the baseplate), while individual components measure 42mm × 115mm × 131mm. Using an 80μm layer thickness process, 240 connector brackets were printed in just 112 hours, achieving efficient, multi-layer batch printing, shortening production cycles by 20% and reducing production costs by over 60%. The LiM-X800 enables integrated printing of high-performance connector brackets, helping to increase production and improve efficiency in the automotive industry.

At the same time, the high flexibility of 3D printing technology offers further advantages in the design and development of automotive parts: it frees itself from the constraints of traditional processes, granting significant design freedom. Direct manufacturing eliminates the need for molds, reducing prototype verification cycles from weeks to hours, significantly reducing the development costs of repeated part verification and iteration. While achieving rapid manufacturing, it also ensures product precision and flexibility.

Through continuous technological iteration and innovative applications, the LiM-X800/800H/800H+ equipment continues to break through the limitations of manufacturing large, complex metal components, providing efficient, precise, and cost-effective additive manufacturing solutions for strategic industries such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing. Going forward, we will continue to deepen our research and development of large-scale metal 3D printing equipment, providing more efficient and stable solutions for the high-end manufacturing industry with more advanced technologies and more reliable products, driving industrial innovation and high-quality development.

The LiM-X1500H's kilowatt-class additive precision machining technology leads the application trend of aerospace parts.

Xue Baoshan, a delegation from the School of Jewelry at China University of Geosciences, visited LiM Laser for research and exchange.

The LiM-X1500H's kilowatt-class additive precision machining technology leads the application trend of aerospace parts.

Xue Baoshan, a delegation from the School of Jewelry at China University of Geosciences, visited LiM Laser for research and exchange.

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