An intelligent 3D printing factory is officially launched on Nov 1 in Yantai. [Photo/yantai.dzwww.com]

The launch ceremony for a newly built intelligent 3D printing factory was held on Nov 1 in Yantai, Shandong province.

According to local authorities, the factory has the largest, most efficient 3D printer in the world and has the potential to redefine the traditional foundry industry.

The factory belongs to a local machinery company, a subsidiary of Moon Group, a famous transnational company based in Yantai.

“Only seven workers are needed per shift in the factory workshop. There are about 20 staff members in the entire factory, all of whom work in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment,” said Tian Lihai, deputy general manager of the company.

Tian pointed out that compared to the traditional foundry factories, the new factory is safer as its dust concentration and temperature are much lower, while its efficiency is over five times higher.

Peng Fan, chairman of the National Intelligent Casting Industry Innovation Center, attended the launch ceremony and offered his congratulations.

A staff member at the factory introduces the work process in the factory's intelligent control center. [Photo/yantai.dzwww.com]

Peng suggested that the factory should focus on digitalization, networking and intelligentization in order to drive the high-quality development of it.

The company started its intelligent foundry transformation project in the factory on the same day. The project affects every part of the factory’s production and marketing process, including product design, manufacturing, and management.

As part of the project, the factory will apply high-end 3D printing technology and intelligent robots in order to become more intelligent, efficient and environmentally friendly.