Dialogue with Academician Lu Bingheng: Manufacturing “Going to Heaven” is no longer a dream

At about 9 o’clock on May 11, a video conference was held in Sanshui Park, Foshan National High-tech Zone. He Xiaoling, member of the Standing Committee of the Sanshui District Party Committee and secretary of the Leping Town Party Committee, remotely connected Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Li Dichen and Tian Xiaoyong, professors of the School of Mechanical Engineering of Xi’an Jiaotong University. After the first successful space 3D Printing in China, the Sanshui Park of Foshan National High-tech Zone and the team of Academician Lu Bingheng discussed and cooperated. At 18:00 on May 5th, the Long March 5B carrier rocket successfully sent the new-generation manned spacecraft test ship into the scheduled orbit. The spacecraft also carried a new-generation manned spacecraft test ship, which was carried out by the Xi’an Jiaotong University scientific research team and the 529 Factory of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology. The self-developed new equipment-“Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composite Space 3D Printing Equipment”, successfully completed my country’s first experiment. This is also the first international 3D printing experiment of continuous fiber composite materials in space. With the support of Academician Lu Bingheng, Professor Li Dichen and Professor Tian Xiaoyong innovatively proposed 3D printing technology based on continuous fiber reinforced composite materials in 2014. They are the first domestic R&D team engaged in continuous fiber reinforced composite 3D printing technology. In the video conference, He Xiaoling first asked the above three scientific researchers about the technical characteristics and civilian prospects of 3D printing in space, and then the two parties discussed in depth the implementation path of 3D printing technology and the deep integration of Foshan’s manufacturing industry.

The friendship between He Xiaoling and Academician Lu Bingheng began in 2018. Under the active promotion of both parties, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, as the first batch of branch centers of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, officially settled in Sanshui Park, Foshan National High-tech Zone on July 1, 2019. In the past six months, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, relying on the Foshan branch, has transitioned the first batch of technologies such as composite manufacturing, electrolyte plasma polishing, and ceramic 3D printing to Foshan. “In the future, more technological achievements will be promoted and applied in Foshan and even the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through the Foshan branch to promote local economic development.” Lu Bingheng said that he proposed the concept of “manufacturing in space” in 2016. The scientific research team has also been working hard to explore this goal. He hopes that in the future, relying on the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, full international exchanges on themes such as space 3D printing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the construction of a national laboratory Goal to carry out related work. At present, Leping Town and Foshan National High-tech Zone Sanshui Park are building a 10,000-mu core park in Fogao District with high standards, of which about 2,000 acres are planned to be dedicated to the development of high-end equipment manufacturing. Additive manufacturing technology can be deeply integrated with the manufacturing industry to promote the development of high-end equipment manufacturing. This provides a new space for deeper cooperation between the Sanshui Park of Foshan National High-tech Zone and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center. He Xiaoling said that at present, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center has introduced a number of high-level project teams, and the center construction has achieved initial results. Next, Leping Town and Foshan National High-tech Zone Sanshui Park will fully support the national additive manufacturing innovation. The Foshan branch of the center carries out the transformation of scientific research results, and joins hands to move towards the goal of building a national key laboratory.

■ Dialogue with the manufacturing industry “Going to heaven” is no longer a dreamOn May 11, He Xiaoling, member of the Standing Committee of the Sanshui District Party Committee and Secretary of the Leping Town Party Committee, remotely connected Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Li Dichen and Tian Xiaoyong, professors of the School of Mechanical Engineering of Xi’an Jiaotong University. God He Xiaoling: Through the “continuous fiber reinforced composite material space 3D printing equipment”, my country has completed the first experiment. What is the significance of this technology? Lu Bingheng: 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is an advanced manufacturing technology developed in recent years. It is mainly used for rapid product development and small batch manufacturing of complex products. 3D printing technology plays a very important role in promoting the innovation and development of the manufacturing industry, and can even bring about some disruptive changes. It is of special significance in the development of high-end aerospace equipment. This experiment can be said to be very successful. By watching the video of the equipment working status, we saw that this 3D printer successfully printed two objects: one is the honeycomb structure (representing the lightweight structure of the spacecraft), and the other is the CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) logo.

The significance of this work is to show that we humans will have the ability to manufacture in space in the future. Once space equipment breaks down in the future, if it can be repaired and handled on site is the best choice, 3D printing is the best technology to achieve this goal. Because its process flow is very simple, one piece of equipment can complete the replacement of parts; second, in the future, when humans enter into far space, spacecraft need to consider launching on the moon and other planets. The use of 3D printing technology for space manufacturing can reduce the future The manufacturing and launch costs of the spacecraft. The space 3D printing is mainly aimed at the manufacture of fiber composite materials. Fiber composite materials can greatly improve the aerospace, rail transit and other high-speed equipment, which can greatly reduce the weight of the equipment and increase the effective load of the equipment. This experiment is also expected to further promote the application of fiber composite material additive manufacturing in the industrial field. He Xiaoling: What is the international level of this technology in my country? Lu Bingheng: To achieve 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials in space, my country is the first country in the world to achieve such a breakthrough. Fiber composite materials are a hot spot and trend in the development of additive manufacturing. He Xiaoling: How does 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials break through extreme environmental restrictions? Li Dichen: Continuous fiber composite 3D printing is a universal technology, which can be applied in space, aviation, and ships. This technology has already applied for a national invention patent in 2014. The continuous fiber reinforced composite material project is actually the fifth academy of aerospace found us to work together. At first, we didn’t know the actual research and application situation, so we asked the scientists of the 5th Academy of Aerospace Engineering Let us ask what is the situation in space.

Later, it was discovered that the energy constraints were extremely stringent, the temperature range was also relatively large, and another factor was weightlessness. Based on the above condition variables, we conducted a variety of program demonstrations with the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Engineering, and finally selected continuous fiber reinforced composite materials for 3D printing, which can overcome harsh environments such as equipment vibration and large temperature fluctuations. In order to cope with the low-gravity environment, Professor Tian Xiaoyong conducted a multi-directional 3D printing comparison experiment, and finally verified that the effect of gravity on the 3D printing of continuous fiber reinforced composite materials will be relatively small. In fact, we spent about 3 years completing the above basic research, and the research results were provided to the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Engineering as a reference. On this basis, the Fifth Aerospace Academy produced engineering prototypes, which were then loaded into the space environment for experimental verification.

The success we see today is only a superficial moment. In fact, it requires a lot of accumulation, including the working principle, process selection, equipment stability, material stability and other aspects must be carefully studied. The progress of science and technology does not happen overnight. It requires in-depth and long-term patient research, and the most important thing is to combine the actual challenges of engineering to study. He Xiaoling: What is the development history of continuous fiber composite 3D printing technology? Tian Xiaoyong: At the end of 2013 and early 2014, we began to have preliminary ideas. At that time, 3D printing could only print ordinary resin, but the performance of the resin material was not good. The performance of traditional composite materials is very good, but because it involves a series of molds and equipment, it is difficult to form and the cost is very high. We wondered whether we could integrate the forming and preparation of composite materials.

That is, through 3D printing, high-performance composite products with complex structures are manufactured. Fortunately, I did some explorations and got some project support, especially being able to participate in our national space manned project. Seeing that our research and development technology is used in major projects, and forming a research and development team with the main force of the national aerospace department, it is a great promotion to improve our research level. I hope that in the future, we will continue in-depth cooperation with the national aerospace department to improve the level of research and provide services for major national projects. The influence of gravity on 3D printing of continuous fiber reinforced composite materials will be relatively small. In fact, we spent about 3 years in completing the above basic research, and the research results were provided to the Fifth Aerospace Academy for reference. On this basis, the Fifth Aerospace Academy produced engineering prototypes, which were then loaded into the space environment for experimental verification. The success we see today is only a superficial moment. In fact, it requires a lot of accumulation, including the working principle, process selection, equipment stability, material stability and other aspects must be carefully studied. The progress of science and technology does not happen overnight. It requires in-depth and long-term patient research, and the most important thing is to combine the actual challenges of engineering to study. He Xiaoling: What is the development history of continuous fiber composite 3D printing technology? Tian Xiaoyong: At the end of 2013 and early 2014, we began to have preliminary ideas. At that time, 3D printing could only print ordinary resin, but the performance of the resin material was not good. The performance of traditional composite materials is very good, but because it involves a series of molds and equipment, it is difficult to form and the cost is very high. We wondered whether we could integrate the forming and preparation of composite materials. That is, through 3D printing, high-performance composite products with complex structures are manufactured. Fortunately, I did some explorations and got some project support, especially being able to participate in our national space manned project.

Seeing that our research and development technology is used in major projects, and forming a research and development team with the main force of the national aerospace department, it is a great promotion to improve our research level. I hope that in the future, we will continue in-depth cooperation with the national aerospace department to improve the level of research and provide services for major national projects. The influence of gravity on 3D printing of continuous fiber reinforced composite materials will be relatively small. In fact, we spent about 3 years in completing the above basic research, and the research results were provided to the Fifth Aerospace Academy for reference. On this basis, the Fifth Aerospace Academy produced engineering prototypes, which were then loaded into the space environment for experimental verification. The success we see today is only a superficial moment. In fact, it requires a lot of accumulation, including the working principle, process selection, equipment stability, material stability and other aspects must be carefully studied. The progress of science and technology does not happen overnight. It requires in-depth and long-term patient research, and the most important thing is to combine the actual challenges of engineering to study. He Xiaoling: What is the development history of continuous fiber composite 3D printing technology? Tian Xiaoyong: At the end of 2013 and early 2014, we began to have preliminary ideas. At that time, 3D printing could only print ordinary resin, but the performance of the resin material was not good.

The performance of traditional composite materials is very good, but because it involves a series of molds and equipment, it is difficult to form and the cost is very high. We wondered whether we could integrate the forming and preparation of composite materials. That is, through 3D printing, high-performance composite products with complex structures are manufactured. Fortunately, I did some explorations and got some project support, especially being able to participate in our national space manned project. Seeing that our research and development technology is used in major projects, and forming a research and development team with the main force of the national aerospace department, it is a great promotion to improve our research level. I hope that in the future, we will continue in-depth cooperation with the national aerospace department to improve the level of research and provide services for major national projects. The degree is relatively large, and the cost is also very high. We wondered whether we could integrate the forming and preparation of composite materials. That is, through 3D printing, high-performance composite products with complex structures are manufactured. Fortunately, I did some explorations and got some project support, especially being able to participate in our national space manned project. Seeing that our research and development technology is used in major projects, and forming a research and development team with the main force of the national aerospace department, it is a great promotion to improve our research level. I hope that in the future, we will continue in-depth cooperation with the national aerospace department to improve the level of research and provide services for major national projects. The degree is relatively large, and the cost is also very high. We wondered whether we could integrate the forming and preparation of composite materials. That is, through 3D printing, high-performance composite products with complex structures are manufactured. Fortunately, I did some explorations and got some project support, especially being able to participate in our national space manned project. Seeing that our research and development technology is used in major projects, and forming a research and development team with the main force of the national aerospace department, it is a great promotion to improve our research level. I hope that in the future, we will continue in-depth cooperation with the national aerospace department to improve the level of research and provide services for major national projects.Based on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to explore “space manufacturing”He Xiaoling: On July 1, 2019, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center was officially established in Leping Town, Sanshui District, Foshan City, and Sanshui Park, National High-tech Zone, Foshan City.

The center has been established in less than a year and has a number of cooperation results . Can 3D printing technology be more deeply integrated with Foshan’s manufacturing industry, especially high-end manufacturing? Lu Bingheng: Thanks to the strong support of the party committees and governments at all levels in Foshan, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center successfully established the only branch in Guangdong in Foshan. In the past six months, we have investigated the status quo and advantages of the manufacturing industry in Foshan and even Guangdong, and carried out research based on the needs of additive technology. We have mainly carried out the following three aspects: First, we have promoted the research and development of precision parts and components composite manufacturing equipment. Industrialization exploration; the second is to combine Foshan’s traditional superior ceramic industry, focusing on cooperation with Sanshui’s ceramic sanitary ware companies, combining light-curing resin and ceramic powder, and developing ceramic 3D printing equipment, which can be applied to ceramic sanitary products quickly In the development scenario; the third is to introduce an additive manufacturing post-processing technology-metal surface electrolyte plasma polishing project, which can reduce the roughness of 3D printed products to one-tenth of the original. This technology is compatible with the Foshan manufacturing industry. There is a high degree of fit. He Xiaoling: At present, Leping Town and Foshan National High-tech Zone Sanshui Park are building a 10,000-mu core park in Fogao District, of which about 2,000 acres are planned to be used for the development of high-end equipment manufacturing. How can the work of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center better integrate with the construction of the 10,000-mu core park in Fogao District and the development of high-end equipment manufacturing in the park? Lu Bingheng: I am responsible for the demonstration and consulting work of the development strategy of my country’s high-end equipment manufacturing industry at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. I have done four consecutive phases. The fifth phase of the demonstration and consulting work will be carried out this year. We divide the high-end equipment manufacturing industry into three major areas: The first category is air, space and sea strategic equipment, the second category is intelligent equipment, and the third category is civilian equipment. The future development plan of Foshan’s high-end equipment manufacturing industry can be used as a reference for the relevant work of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Guangdong is a developed region in my country’s manufacturing industry. In recent years, Guangdong has also vigorously promoted the development of high-end equipment manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing is a technological way to develop high-end equipment manufacturing, and it is a very good tool. At the same time, the additive manufacturing equipment itself is a high-end equipment, as I mentioned just now the integrated equipment of adding and subtracting materials, foreign countries have fully realized its importance. Yamazaki Mazak Corporation (MAZAK) is a world-renowned manufacturer of machine tools. This company had predicted that by 2030, the installed capacity of integrated equipment for adding and reducing materials will account for 40% of the total installed capacity of machine tool equipment. This is a very large amount. At the same time, Guangdong may be in aerospace navigation in the future And other fields have new development plans for the equipment manufacturing industry, and additive manufacturing can be used in a large number of applications in these fields. Guangdong’s nuclear power industry is also very famous. Because nuclear power equipment uses many high-performance materials, it is increasingly difficult to meet the manufacturing requirements of these equipment with general mold forming and cutting processes. Additive manufacturing is a good alternative production method. . In general, I believe that additive manufacturing is very useful in Guangdong Province. This is also the starting point for the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center to establish a branch in Guangdong. After three years of construction, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center has formed a batch of innovative achievements and developed a batch of innovative equipment. Relying on the Foshan branch, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center will promote more project teams and scientific research achievements to land in Foshan, including two professors Li Dichen and Tian Xiaoyong who are currently engaged in fiber composite material additive manufacturing technology. As I said earlier, fiber composite 3D printing is the latest and most important development direction in additive manufacturing technology. In addition, we are also willing to participate in the planning of 2,000 mu of high-end equipment industry in Leping Town and Foshan National High-tech Zone Sanshui Park to see which industries can promote the further development of our technology. He Xiaoling: What are your plans for the future “manufacturing in space”? Lu Bingheng: I proposed “manufacturing in space” on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2016. Moving the manufacturing industry to space can create various equipment and products in space that are convenient for human production and life, and then land them on the earth. In this way, a lot of land area on the earth can be freed up for people to use, and a lot of pollution can be avoided. At the same time, the solar energy in space is endless.

After proposing this idea, Xi’an Jiaotong University has been working hard in this area and has also done a lot of work. Last December, we held a seminar in Dongguan to discuss topics such as space 3D printing. Previously, in October 2019, we also held the second China-Germany Symposium on Space 3D Printing in Berlin, Germany. In the future, I hope to use the regional platform of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to fully carry out international exchanges and make more useful explorations in space 3D printing. If possible, I am willing to pursue the goal of the national laboratory and hope to get the support of the local government. Many local governments are very interested in our technology, but feel that space 3D printing is too far away from life. That is the goal of the country, not the goal of the local government. In fact, this is not the case. For example, the 3D printing technology of continuous fiber composite materials is believed to be used not only on airplanes, but also on rockets, high-speed trains, and automobiles. Leading space research can contribute to the development of manufacturing technology Very good driving effect. At the same time, space manufacturing will also create a very large GDP. At last year’s seminar, some aerospace experts suggested that space manufacturing may form an industrial scale with an output value of tens of trillions of yuan in the next 10 years. This is my imagination, and it depends on young people to realize it. He Xiaoling: On behalf of the Leping Township Committee and the township government, I am willing to support this project as much as we can, and work hand in hand towards the goal of building a national key laboratory.5 hours, then 65 hours of cutting processing, the entire manufacturing cycle is shortened by more than 60% compared with the traditional process.

“Since its establishment on July 1, 2019, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center has successively introduced five project teams including additive and subtractive composite manufacturing, electrolyte plasma polishing, and ceramic 3D printing. As these projects accelerate their implementation and transformation, “Made in Foshan” + 3D printing technology is expected to create more dazzling sparks and bring about a series of “innovative fission.” Five high-quality 3D printing projects have been settled in the first floor exhibition hall of the Foshan Branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center. The mediocre aero engine casing embodies the wisdom and hard work of the entrepreneurial team of additive and subtractive manufacturing. This is the most important project team introduced by the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center in the first half of the year since its establishment. Traditional materials Processing and subtractive processing have advantages in mass production, but they are not suitable for processing and manufacturing of small batches and complex structures; on the contrary, additive manufacturing is not as good as traditional processing in some technical indicators such as surface roughness and dimensional accuracy, but it can be processed at will Complex parts and components. By integrating the technical advantages of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing, the entrepreneurial team has embarked on a path of research and development and industrialization of precision parts and components composite manufacturing equipment. “Before we, we In Foshan, we investigated the needs of more than ten units such as Guangdong Die Casting Industry Association, Foshan Mould Industry Association, Kelon Mould, Wencan Die Casting, Zhongnan Machinery, etc., and selected molds with broad market prospects in Foshan and large-scale workpiece repair and reprocessing.

Transform and industrialize technological achievements in the production of manufacturing, complex, precision and difficult-to-machine parts. “The relevant person in charge of the additive manufacturing composite manufacturing entrepreneurial team said. Including the precision parts additive manufacturing composite manufacturing equipment research and development and industrialization projects, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center has introduced a total of 5 project teams to settle in Foshan. Sanshui Park, National High-tech Zone. This means that the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center has completed zero breakthroughs, which is expected to bring greater exploration space for the integration and development of “Made in Foshan” and 3D printing technology. “Our guidance The idea is to focus on the 3D printing upstream and downstream industry chain, aiming at individualized, small-batch manufacturing needs to introduce project teams. “The relevant person in charge of the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center said, for example, the introduction of the electrolyte plasma polishing project is to solve the post-processing problem of 3D printing. This technology can greatly improve the smoothness of 3D printed products and the cost of polishing technology. Low, waste water generated during polishing can also be discharged directly.

From technical services to equipment and technology promotion, it is different from ordinary entrepreneurial incubators. The Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center connects to the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center. Most of the introduced projects are related project teams of Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Own project of the Manufacturing Innovation Center. Lu Bingheng is the first academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in the field of 3D printing. The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center is one of 16 national manufacturing innovation centers. In 2019, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, as the first national branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, settled in Sanshui Park, Foshan National High-tech Zone, Lu Bingheng is the key decision maker. Lu Bingheng said that the mission of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center is to explore and innovate in cutting-edge technologies, and after the technological achievements are formed, they will be transformed by enterprises. The Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center is the only national additive manufacturing innovation center established in Guangdong.

The sub-center will be committed to combining innovation with the actual needs of the manufacturing industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. One is to develop newer equipment and more targeted processes, and the other is to promote the development of local manufacturing to form a better benefit. Based on the above development ideas, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, relying on the Foshan branch, is promoting more project teams and scientific research results to land in Foshan. At the same time, the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center is also exploring more diversified results transformation and industrialization models to release the more powerful “coupling effect” of 3D printing technology and “Made in Foshan”. “Thanks to the advantages of the organizational structure of the branch, we have completely independent intellectual property rights for most of the software and hardware of the project. Since last year, we have provided 3D printing application services and technical support to manufacturing companies in Foshan and other places.” National Additive Manufacturing Innovation The person in charge of the center’s Foshan branch said that starting this year, the center began to target customized non-standard machinery and began to promote 3D printing equipment and processes. Data show that in 2019, the global 3D printing industry reached 11.956 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 29.9%. The above-mentioned person in charge said that the Foshan branch of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center is still in its infancy, but based on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and backed by the Guangdong manufacturing industry, the future development prospects of the center are exciting. (Source of this article’s picture: China News Network)