Professor Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, once said that "The 3D printing industry will gradually become a powerful tool for product development in all walks of life in the future." This view has been verified in recent years as 3D printing technology has increasingly become indispensable in traditional sectors such as industrial packaging, automotive, lighting, and aerospace manufacturing.

Lenovo Group mainly develops, produces and sells electronic products such as laptops, all-in-one computers, desktop computers, servers, smart phones, tablets, etc., and also involves mobile Internet, digital products and computer accessories. 3D printing technology plays a critical role in Lenovo's product development.

At Lenovo's R&D center, the design and development of computer casings and accessories to final production requires multiple tests and iterations. Traditional prototyping methods, such as laser engraving on PVC boards and CNC machining, are time-consuming and wasteful. To address these challenges, Lenovo adopted 3D printing technology.

This year, Lenovo cooperated with NextShapes Technology to use its 8111X high-performance general resin for product development. Previously, Lenovo had experimented with various commercially available white resin materials during the development process but encountered issues such as inconsistent coloration, poor surface detail, low heat resistance, insufficient toughness, and cleaning difficulties. After extensive testing, Lenovo ultimately selected the 8111X resin.

"The introduction of this resin greatly shortens the product development cycle. From the spark of an idea to model creation and final production, everything becomes easy without the need for traditional tools," said a Lenovo engineer. 8111X, the third generation of white material developed by NextShapes, boasts pure coloration, a smooth and delicate surface, and an appealing texture resembling mutton-fat jade. When the temperature resistance of white materials on the market is only 40°C, 8111X can withstand high temperatures of nearly 60°C. In addition, it has high hardness and strength, outstanding toughness, low viscosity, and is very easy to clean, so it is widely loved by customers.

Looking ahead, Lenovo and NextShapes Technology plan to explore new pathways in digital manufacturing together, striving to develop superior industrial solutions. The era of mass-customized production is on the horizon, heralding a revolutionary breakthrough in the manufacturing sector.

2024.11.26

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