HBD and CN Precision target high-end AM parts finishing in South China
Shanghai Hanbang 3D Tech Co, Ltd (HBD), headquartered in Shanghai, China, has partnered with CN Precision Technology, a specialist in surface treatment for watches and jewellery, to establish a new fully integrated metal Additive Manufacturing facility in South China. The collaboration is intended to bridge the gap between metal AM and finishing, enabling the mass production of high-quality products.
Traditional precision manufacturing techniques, such as stamping and CNC machining, present inherent constraints. For example, stamping limits design freedom and CNC often results in high material waste. Extended mould development and machining cycles also slow down production. Metal Additive Manufacturing offers a systematic solution to these challenges, explains HBD.
However, as-built AM parts can lack the surface quality required for some precision applications, particularly those with complex internal structures and curved surfaces. To overcome this, components must undergo post-processing.
The core of the fully integrated approach lies in the seamless integration of prototyping, Additive Manufacturing, heat treatment, precision machining, polishing, and coating, explains HBD. Together, CN Precision Technology’s expertise in finishing and surface treatment and HBD’s AM capabilities enable the transformation of as-built parts into mirror-finish components that meet the stringent standards of industries like watchmaking.
The closed-loop process offered by the collaboration includes several key benefits. These include superior surface quality and accuracy, efficient material usage and recycling (especially for expensive metal powders), functional integration and lightweighting unattainable with conventional methods. Also of value are the shorter development cycles, which in turn lead to lower overall manufacturing costs.
“The end-to-end, full-process solution developed by HBD and CN Precision Technology overcomes traditional limitations of metal Additive Manufacturing in high-appearance applications,” the company stated. “By combining design freedom, material performance, reduced carbon footprint, and agile production with high-quality finishing, this partnership provides a powerful engine for innovation and sustainable transformation in high-end manufacturing – particularly in the watchmaking sector.”
