Yukio Tee is a service engineer and marketing specialist at Farsoon Technologies, a Chinese company that manufactures industrial-level polymer and metal laser powder bed fusion systems. The company has been involved with some wild builds, including a giant titanium sword 3D printed by electric motorcycle manufacturer Stark Future. Stark will also use industrial 3D printing for series production of key electric motorcycle components.
But aside from PR stunts, additive manufacturing technology is becoming crucial for manufacturers looking to cut costs and development times and even eliminate tooling.
In this exclusive interview, Tee discusses the industry’s evolution towards scalable 3D printing ecosystems, artificial intelligence’s role in enhancing automation, process optimization, and predictive analytics, and how large-format systems enable cost-effective production of complex, industrial-scale components without traditional supply chain constraints.
David Mantey: What new trends have you seen in 3D printing hardware?
Yukio Tee: One of the key trends in 3D printing hardware is the push towards higher productivity, automation, and series production capabilities, especially in metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology. We are driving this trend by integrating CAMS (continuous additive manufacturing solutions) and beam-shaping technology into our systems, enabling faster production speeds and improved part quality to meet the stringent demands of industrial manufacturing.
Watch: 3D Printing: Unlock the Future of Manufacturing
Another major development is the integration of automation throughout the entire manufacturing workflow. This reduces labor costs while ensuring greater consistency in production. We are also seeing a shift towards more open and customizable platforms, allowing users to finetune materials, parameters, and process data to optimize their specific applications.
Ultimately, the trend is moving towards a more connected, intelligent, and scalable 3D printing ecosystem, where manufacturers and technology providers work together to co-develop and refine end-to-end solutions for industrial applications.
DM: How has 3D printing software evolved? What role is AI playing?
YT: 3D printing software has evolved significantly from basic slicing and build preparation tools to comprehensive, data-driven platforms that enable full control over the additive manufacturing process. Today’s software solutions are not only about generating toolpaths but also about process monitoring, quality assurance, and seamless integration with traditional manufacturing workflows.
At Farsoon, we have developed our own in-house 3D printing software to help customers efficiently prepare build jobs, operate machines, and monitor production in real-time. Beyond that, we embrace an “open to industry” philosophy, working with leading software providers to develop tailored solutions that improve workflow efficiency and expand application possibilities.
AI is playing a crucial role in this evolution by enhancing automation, process optimization, and predictive analytics. With AI-driven solutions, we can improve part quality assurance, parameter development, data processing, operation management, and even troubleshooting. By integrating AI into 3D printing software, we enable smarter decision-making, reduced production errors, and higher repeatability, bringing additive manufacturing closer to full industrial scalability.
DM: How are manufacturers using 3D printing to reduce costs and shorten lead times?
YT: Reducing costs and shortening lead times is a key driver behind the development of our 3D printing technologies. Our approach gives manufacturers flexible options to meet their cost targets while maximizing efficiency.
One of the primary cost-saving advantages of 3D printing is the elimination of tooling, which removes the need for expensive molds and reduces production setup time. Additionally, manufacturers can streamline production steps, cutting down overall lead times.
Farsoon also integrates advanced features such as the support reduction system (SRS) to minimize material waste and post-processing efforts, further reducing production costs. Our automatic grafting function, which combines CNC machining with additive manufacturing (AM), significantly improves efficiency in mold production.
For both metal and polymer applications, manufacturers are increasingly adopting extra-large laser powder bed fusion systems, such as FS1521M and Flight HT1001P, to meet the growing demand for 1-meter to 2-meter-sized parts in additive manufacturing. These large-format systems enable cost-effective production of complex, industrial-scale components without traditional supply chain constraints.
DM: What industries are using 3D printing to its fullest potential? Which markets need to catch up?
YT: Industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and motorsports are fully leveraging additive manufacturing (AM) to produce lightweight, high-performance, and highly customized parts. These sectors have embraced AM for its ability to reduce weight, enhance performance, and streamline complex geometries that traditional manufacturing cannot achieve.
At the same time, industries like consumer goods and industrial tooling have significant untapped potential in AM. By adopting truly open systems, these markets can accelerate innovation, improve production flexibility, and lower costs.
Additionally, there are niche applications that have not yet scaled to series production but could catch up with further integration of automation, high-temperature materials, and process innovation. As AM technology continues to advance, we expect broader adoption across these markets, unlocking new levels of efficiency and performance.