Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Showcases Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) Products at Asia 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Expo (TCT Asia)

March 17, Photos from the Booth Event

On March 17, the 11th Asia 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Expo opened at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Upon entering the exhibition, an Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) workstation was live-printing components using AFSD technology, vividly demonstrating the equipment's exceptional performance in manufacturing complex structures. This upgraded device was jointly developed by Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “AEE”) and the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau, specifically tailored to meet market demands.

As the first domestic enterprise to master continuous rod-feeding Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) technology, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. showcased over 20 products at TCT Asia, including satellite adapters, carrier rocket fuel tanks, and unmanned vessel hulls. This fully demonstrates the broad application prospects of AFSD technology in high-end manufacturing. The multi-faceted, comprehensive display of Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.'s significant achievements in the Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) field also signifies a breakthrough for China in the realm of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) manufacturing.

March 17, Photos from the Booth Event

Focusing on Green Manufacturing to Drive the Transformation and Upgrading of the Manufacturing Sector

In recent years, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has focused on research and application of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), driving productivity transformation. This has led to the development of new equipment, materials, and technologies, fostering new-quality productive forces. It has pioneered new directions for processing and manufacturing high-performance large-scale metal components in aviation, aerospace, and marine sectors, achieving sustainable development in green manufacturing. The equipment showcased at this event features advantages such as a compact footprint, high integration, and multi-mode control capabilities.

As the golden key unlocking the realm of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) manufacturing technology, AFSD technology is an additive manufacturing process based on the principle of friction stir welding. Its core mechanism involves generating heat through friction between a rotating tool head and metallic raw material at temperatures below the material's melting point. This process softens the material to a plastic state, enabling layer-by-layer deposition and compaction onto a substrate to form a “dense” three-dimensional structure.

AFSD, as a derivative technology of Friction Stir Welding (FSW), possesses its core advantages,“ explained Professor Lap Mou Tam, Chief Scientist at Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Professor at the University of Macau. ”It avoids defects common in traditional fusion additive manufacturing processes like laser and arc additive manufacturing—such as porosity, cracks, and coarse microstructure—while featuring a smaller heat-affected zone that significantly reduces deformation risks. "Consequently, large-scale, high-performance metal components fabricated using AFSD technology exhibit more stable forming quality, superior product performance, and optimized cost control. The resulting forged microstructure surpasses that of castings and welded components, and can even approach or exceed the quality of forgings, holding significant potential to drive industrial advancement. Additionally, AFSD technology offers significant advantages in energy conservation and emissions reduction, with carbon emissions reduced by over 40% compared to traditional fusion welding, aligning more closely with the characteristics of green manufacturing.

The successful breakthrough of this technology will drive the refinement and upgrading of related industrial chains. As AFSD technology gains wider adoption, an increasing number of enterprises are turning their attention to and investing in the AFSD manufacturing sector, propelling China's manufacturing industry toward digital, intelligent, and green transformation.

Demonstrating Hardcore Capabilities Opening a New Chapter in Key Fields

As a seasoned veteran in the field of Friction Stir Welding (FSW), Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has consistently prioritized customer needs, integrating the principles of “refining, deepening, optimizing, and strengthening” into its product development. This approach has gradually shaped a design philosophy centered on “needs-driven optimization, quality enhancement, and production support.” The company has thereby elevated China's self-reliance capabilities in critical sectors, demonstrating the formidable strength of AFSD technology.

“AFSD technology isn't just taking to the skies—we're also setting our sights on the seas,” said Wang Hu of Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. “Currently, many high-tech enterprises are focusing their efforts on building new productive forces, urgently seeking breakthroughs in manufacturing high-performance metal components.”

At the exhibition site, the 3.35-meter-long rocket fuel tank bottom drew crowds of visitors and industry peers to stop and observe. This tank bottom was precisely printed using AFSD technology, leaving everyone in awe of its technical prowess. It is understood that AFSD technology will shine brightly in the aerospace sector, enabling the production of large structural components such as satellite adapters and rocket tank bottoms. This technology fulfills the need for weight reduction and efficiency gains in large structural parts, lowers production costs and cycles, and significantly enhances product quality and reliability. In the maritime sector, AFSD technology also demonstrates immense application potential. Key structural components like large ship hulls and propellers manufactured using this method exhibit excellent efficiency and durability, enhancing navigation performance.

“Beyond manufacturing, we can also repair components, not only minimizing the heat-affected zone during the repair process but also extending the service life of critical parts,” explained Wang Hu. “Specifically, the rapid repair of damaged ship components shortens maintenance cycles while reducing repair costs.” Additionally, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has applied AFSD technology to the production of novel materials and structures such as gradient materials and composites. This enables integrated manufacturing of functional structures, meeting the high-performance demands of both materials and components.

Developing Chinese Solutions to Enhance International Competitiveness

AFSD technology has sparked a global wave of enthusiasm, with research institutions and enterprises worldwide actively developing its research and applications. In 2022, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. collaborated with the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau to successfully develop China's first continuous rod-feeding, engineering-grade Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) equipment. This achievement positions China as the second country after the United States to master the full engineering capabilities of this technology.

At the exhibition site, spectators couldn't help but wonder as they watched the equipment operating nonstop: “After running for so long, why hasn't the machine paused to add raw materials?” Professor Lap Mou Tam explained: “To boost production efficiency, we installed a material hopper inside the equipment that holds five 0.3-meter rods at a time, enabling continuous rod feeding and enhancing productivity.” During production, the equipment functions like a miniature “forging workshop.” Using Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) manufacturing technology, it transforms metal rods into desired shapes while fully preserving the raw material's mechanical properties. This technological approach builds a “bridge” for collaboration with clients, winning their recognition through reliability and efficiency.

Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has now overcome key technological challenges including hybrid heat source Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), high-precision closed-loop control, and heterogeneous material composite additive manufacturing. This breakthrough enables product development using metal alloy materials such as aluminum, magnesium, copper, and titanium. Taking satellite adapters manufactured using AFSD technology as an example, these products achieve mechanical properties equivalent to forged Series 2 aluminum alloys and meet Grade A standards in ultrasonic testing. The manufacturing cycle is reduced by 60%, and production costs are lowered by over 30%, providing robust support for the advancement of China's aerospace industry.

The engineering breakthrough of AFSD technology represents not only a joint innovation in new processes between Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau, but also highlights China's institutional strengths and confidence. It embodies Macau's proactive integration into the broader national development landscape and signifies China's transition from “following” to “leading” in the manufacturing of high-end AFSD processing equipment. Moving forward, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. will focus on sectors such as aerospace manufacturing and marine engineering. This initiative will drive collaborative innovation across upstream and downstream industries, including materials and equipment manufacturing. The company aims to gradually achieve large-scale engineering applications of AFSD technology, enhance the industrial ecosystem, and strengthen China's influence in the global Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) field. These efforts will further foster the development of highly competitive high-end manufacturing clusters in China, offering innovative “Chinese solutions” for global sustainable development.