Shining 3D's vibrant display shows consumer 3D printing at TCT Asia.
Taking up one of the largest spaces right at the front of the hall for the inaugural TCT Asia, Shining 3D proved it is here to make a serious impact on Asia’s burgeoning 3D printing industry.
Making its mark in the desktop 3D printing sector, Shining 3D has grown to become one of the most recognised brands in the region for its accessible 3D technology. But don’t let the modest size of these machines fool you, Shining 3D is making no reservations about wanting to be at the top of the 3D printing game.
Speaking with TCT at TCT Asia, Shining 3D’s Jason Li said: “Long term we would like to be the best of course but first step we will just try to be the best in China.”
Not trying to conquer the entire world just yet may seem like a reasonable goal but with the industry in Asia really taking off and more and more companies coming into the mix with increasingly affordable technology, the region is experiencing a surge of interest from the rest of the world. Recent government policy has helped to fuel this inception with serious investment and the forming of the China 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance back in 2013 has helped solidify the region’s position as a leading landscape for the growth of the 3D printing ecosystem.
Shining 3D's 3D printed Gundam figure draws the crowds at TCT Asia.
Following it’s popular Einstart-S desktop 3D printers, Shining 3D recently found success on Kickstarter with the launch of its first affordable desktop white light 3D scanner the Einscan-S. Launching with a target of $50,000, the project was funded with over double the target amassed from over $123,000 in pledges.
“The scanner is really precise and fast,” explained Jason. “It is for hobbyists. We have much experience with the 3D scanner - we have been doing that for over five years.”
Shining 3D is already set to release another machine next month in the form of a larger desktop 3D printer. Printing at 320cm x 220cm x 200cm with both a single and dual extruder, the launch will also come with a new PVA water-soluble material. Jason believes that in order to move forward, the industry needs improvements in both materials and printing speeds.
“People have problems where material gets stuck or different materials have different consistencies. If the material is better the technology will be better,” Jason commented. “Speed is the biggest problem for FDM machines for now. The speed goes along with layer thickness, if you have thinner layer thickness it takes much longer.”
Right now the company is keeping its focus on the desktop 3D printing sector and is concentrating on applications particularly in schools and colleges to encourage young people to get in touch with the technology.
“From my experience most other companies focus on one or two dimensions of 3D printing. But we have all sorts of stuff including service bureaus and we are also the first 3D printing and digitisation stock in China.”
As the first public enterprise to specialise in the 3D printing sector on the Chinese stock market and more innovative plans in the pipeline, it looks like Shining 3D might not be too far from its goal to become China’s go-to 3D printing name. Next stop … the rest of the world.
Einscan-S white light desktop 3D scanner.
For more images from TCT Asia, visit our exclusive gallery here.
