Zong Guisheng's 3D Printing Road: Still Water Runs Deep, Walking and Achieving Great Results

[Introduction]

　　At the end of 2014, Dr. Zong Guisheng received one of the most significant awards in his life - the Best Team Leader Award. These six words, composed of signatures from Asian employees of Pinnacle Group, a Fortune 500 company in the United States, represent the gratitude and recognition of his colleagues for his ten years of leading the team through thick and thin and growing along the way, as well as a complete summary of his experience as an executive in a foreign company.

　　In January 2015, Zong Guisheng formally resigned from his position as President of Pinnacle Group Asia and President of Hardware & Home East Hemisphere, and devoted himself to the 3D printing business in his new capacity as Chairman and CEO of SANDI Printing (Langfang) Technology Co. Fading the enviable aura of multinational executives and embarking on the road of 3D printing innovation is unexpected. But for Zong Guisheng himself, this is a new beginning, but also a return.

　　As early as twenty years ago, Zong Guisheng, who returned to China as one of the world's first 3D printing doctors, began to promote the application and development of 3D printing in China. Although there are several twists and turns on the road of pursuing 3D printing development, Zong Guisheng's footsteps never stop: after making China's first industrial-grade 3D printer in 1993, he has persistently promoted 3D printing technology in China's aerospace, automotive, motorcycle, machinery and equipment manufacturing fields, lectured more than a hundred times, and cultivated many talents and users in the 3D printing industry; in 1994, he founded Beijing Longyuan Automatic In 1994, he founded Beijing Longyuan Automatic Molding System Co., Ltd. and worked with his team to make it a leading company in the 3D printing industry with more than 20 years of continuous and focused operation; in 2013, he founded SANDY Printing (Langfang) Technology Co., Ltd. and used SANDY Printing as a holding company, successively purchased Beijing Longyuan Molding and Beijing Globally Precision Bo Rehabilitation Aids Technology Co.www.wanwudayin.com) cloud manufacturing platform, through the group management, multi-platform operation, with 3D printing technology system development and comprehensive application strength to seize the industrial opportunity. At present, SanDi Printing has completed tens of millions of financing, and operates in accordance with the norms of listed companies.

　　Along with the development of 3D printing in China's footsteps, Zong Guisheng's 3D printing road is also in the continuous exploration, pragmatic and pragmatic in the wider and wider, such as the deep flow of still water, the sure line and far-reaching.

Still Waters: Reality for the Best

　　Water, as the source of all things. Quiet, for the wisdom of harmony without publicity. In the pursuit of scientific truth, words and deeds should be like still water, clear and honest; should be refined like still water, make the best use of the situation and move forward.

　　The core idea of 3D printing manufacturing technology first originated in the late 19th century in the United States, to the late 1980s to develop mature and widely used. 1986, China Steel Research Institute of metal physics master's degree of Zong Guisheng sent a letter across the ocean, became his embarked on the road of 3D printing source.

　　The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) is a prestigious public university with a long history in the United States and even in the world, and it is also the birthplace of SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), a 3D printing technology. 1986, Zong Guisheng learned from a teacher at Northeastern University that Prof. Harris L. Marcus at UT-Austin was about to start a project on aerospace composites, and he wrote a letter to the professor, saying that if he was accepted to be a doctoral student, he could consider the project as completed (consider it's done). In 1986, Zong Guisheng learned that Professor Harris L. Marcus of the University of Texas was about to start a project on aerospace composites, and he immediately sent a letter to the professor, saying that if he was admitted as a doctoral student, he could consider it's done. His confidence and forthrightness eventually impressed Prof. Marcus, and in the spring of 1987, Zong Guisheng went to the U.S. for his Ph.D. degree, quickly completing the project and choosing 3D printing as his Ph.D. In 1991, he received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from UT-Austin, making him one of the first Ph.D.'s in the world to study 3D printing.

　　At that time, China was in a period of accelerated transformation of the market economy, intellectuals can rely on their own wisdom and knowledge to choose the way of life, control their own destiny. Zong Guisheng held a number of technology patents, after completing two years of postdoctoral 3D printing research, he made the choice to return to China to start his own business. 1993, Zong Guisheng presided over the research and development of China's first industrial-grade 3D printing prototype and named it rapid prototyping machine, declared the national term recognition; 1994, he founded Beijing Longyuan Automatic Forming System Co. In the same year, the first industrial-grade 3D printing equipment in China passed the expert appraisal organized by Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and also obtained the invention patent, and was successfully put into use in the Aerospace Materials Research Institute of the Ministry of Aviation in 1996; in 1997, sintered materials used for precision casting and rapid casting process were successfully researched, and Lonyuan molding stepped into the field of rapid development of complex metal structural components, and its AFS additive manufacturing was listed as one of the "Ninth National Science Committee" by the State Science and Technology Commission. State Science and Technology Commission included in the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" Torch Plan, Xinhua News Agency, Guangming Daily, etc. were published in the article, calling for attention to the promotion and application of rapid prototyping technology; 2000, Longyuan molding based on the successful development of SLS has a complex cavity structure of the metal parts of the rapid casting process for the engine class of complex structural parts of the rapid production foundation, the metal material directly into the metal parts, and the rapid casting process. Laying the foundation for the production of complex structural engine parts, metal material direct molding technology has also entered the substantive development stage.

Photo: Zong Guisheng founded Beijing Longyuan Molding in 1994.

　　However, the development of any science and technology industry does not happen overnight, and it takes a long and arduous period of accumulation before it can explode.

　　Into the 21st century, 3D printing had a new round of development climax, there are several mature 3D printing technology in the international community, the domestic is also constantly tracking the development. The country began to include rapid prototyping manufacturing in the training program of higher vocational education, and at one time there was a boom in the procurement of 3D printing equipment in the education sector. Many places in the country have established corresponding productivity promotion centers. Some enterprises relying on the background of universities have received strong support for national projects, but for Longyuan molding such a high degree of marketization of the main million industrial equipment companies, but in this wave of market development market gained little. At the same time, due to the slow popularization in the industrial field, the international 3D printing industry began to enter the development of the downturn, the global total output value of 1 billion U.S. dollars in the level of hovering for many years. After a brief period of domestic boom, also significantly reduced the investment in research funding in the field of 3D printing. In such a downturn environment, such as Longyuan molding 3D printing enterprise how to develop? How can we better promote the development and application of 3D printing in China?

　　At that time, the domestic status of Zong Guisheng understand, as a high-end cutting-edge technology, 3D printing technology is like a tender seedling, growth still needs time. In the conditions do not have, pulling the seedling to grow will only be contrary to the wishes of the people. This time should go to broaden the horizons, growth of insights, accumulation of experience. He has stockpiled knowledge in securities, mergers and acquisitions, management and other related fields, and obtained a U.S. securities license. At the same time, he was eager to learn about the management system and experience of multinational enterprises and put them into practice. In his legendary resume, ten years of experience as an executive in multinational enterprises is undoubtedly an unexpected and colorful part. When Stanley, an American Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was looking for a partner in China, Zong Guisheng seized the opportunity and in 2004, Zong Guisheng entered into a joint venture with Stanley to establish Stanley Technology Shenzhen Co., Ltd. and was responsible for Stanley Hardware & Home Furnishings' business in China as a shareholder and Managing Director.

　　In the ten years from 2004 to 2014, Zong Guisheng was responsible for the growth of Stanley's business in China by more than 100 times, during which time he was promoted to President of Stanley Security Asia, and at the same time assumed a heavy responsibility for mergers and acquisitions in Asia and was concurrently the Chairman and Managing Director of Stanley GMT Hardware Co. After the acquisition of Stanley's hardware and home furnishings business by Pinnacle Group, a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, he was promoted to President of Pinnacle Asia and President of the Eastern Hemisphere for Hardware & Home Furnishings.

Figure: Pinnacle Group Global Hardware & Home Furnishings Management Team

　　During the past ten years, Zong Guisheng has promoted the continuous expansion of multinational enterprises' local business in China, and gradually formed an increasingly mature mode of rapid development of enterprises, i.e., localization of brands, marketization of products, customization of services, scaling up of mergers and acquisitions, and specialization of talents.

　　This is the promotion from entrepreneur to manager, this is the leap from scientist to entrepreneur, and this is a big step from private enterprise to multinational company! This is exactly what Zong Guisheng has always recognized as the principle of "seeking the best in reality" - recognizing the reality, so as not to indulge in dreams; the pursuit of the best, so as not to be satisfied with the reality.

　　Zong Guisheng firmly believe that the bright future of 3D printing will eventually come, just need to pile up with every perfect today ...... perseverance, such as 3D printing to add layer by layer to realize.

Acting with conviction: grasping the macro-strategy

　　Duk, single-mindedness, perseverance. To act, to grasp the moment, to know and act in unity. Dugong, meaning practical fulfillment, dedicated implementation; behavior is simple, pure and down-to-earth. Only those who have a clear goal and a strong will can achieve Ducheng.

　　Zong Guisheng is a person who is good at seizing opportunities. During the years when he was not directly engaged in the 3D printing industry, he never stayed away from the industry, but always kept his attention and study on the industry, and worked diligently, and successively obtained a number of patents in the field of 3D printing. As a result, he was able to quickly see the competitive situation of the industry, grasp the macro-strategic direction, and seize the first opportunity when the development opportunity of domestic 3D printing came, by virtue of the rich experience accumulated over the years in the fields of 3D printing, hardware and home furnishings, network information technology, and mergers and acquisitions integration.

　　In 2005, Zong Guisheng through the acquisition of the first major shareholder of the listed company's holdings of the Beijing Longyuan molding shares, mastered the then still in the doldrums of the development of Longyuan molding of the controlling stake, serving as chairman of the company. Through strategic adjustments, taking into account the first Made in China is China casting, focusing on rapid prototyping casting, one year after Longyuan molding will begin to turn a loss into a profit, stepped into a sustained profitability and rapid development of the track: in 2005, the launch of the AFS-500, molding size of 125 cubic liters, that year, the formation of the sales, and the launch of direct steam removal of sintered fine casting wax, and the traditional precision casting, seamless, solving the problem of roughness of the surface of titanium alloys. Fast casting surface roughness; in 2008, the development and completion of AFS-700 molding equipment, molding size 245 liters, was the largest size of the laser powder sintering equipment, to meet the requirements of the vast majority of the size of the precision castings, the equipment was formed in that year sales; in 2009, the laser sintering sand to achieve a breakthrough. The strength and gas generation of the molded sand core reached the casting requirements. Began to develop casting overlay sand sintering molding of proprietary equipment laser core machine; in 2010, LaserCore5300 prototype development was completed, began test sales ......

Figure: AFS LaserCore5300

　　As a practitioner always focusing on the marketization of 3D printing products, Longyuan Forming's cumulative achievements promote the industrialization of China's 3D printing industry. Domestic and international authoritative media, such as ECONOMIST, the official website of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, and MACHINE DESIGN, have also reported on LONGINES many times, and called it one of the few 3D printing manufacturers in China that should not be underestimated.

　　Starting in 2008, the U.S. Obama administration will be 3D printing as an important "weapon" to stimulate the return of manufacturing and accelerate U.S. economic growth, thus triggering a global 3D printing boom: the European Union has set up a fund to support 3D printing technology, aerospace and other cutting-edge fields as the focus of the development of the 3D printing industry; Airbus Europe The launch of 3D printing aircraft program; Australia has developed a metal 3D printing technology route; South Africa to support the development of laser-based large-scale 3D printers; Japan's efforts to promote the popularization and application of 3D printing technology ...... countries are constantly strengthening the research and development of 3D printing technology and its application.

　　Subsequently, Germany's "Industry 4.0" strategy, meaning that cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, etc. are driving human intelligence to a higher realm, but also means that 3D printing technology and virtualization technology, industrial Internet, big data, etc. together to become the core of the reconstruction of the manufacturing industry's technology system.

　　To this end, China has successively introduced a number of relevant policies and measures to make 3D printing the focus of emerging industry cultivation, strengthen the status of enterprises as the main body of independent innovation, and strengthen government guidance and support. General Secretary Xi Jinping personally instructed "to grasp the industrialization"; Vice Premier Ma Kai mentioned that "the world's new scientific and technological revolution is breeding and emerging, and the breakthrough of new manufacturing technology represented by additive manufacturing (3D printing) will accelerate the global industrial transformation"; Minister Wan Gang of the Ministry of Science and Technology emphasized that "design, material and quality are the key factors of 3D printing"; and Minister Wan Gang of the Ministry of Science and Technology stressed that "design, material and quality are the key factors of 3D printing. Minister Wan Gang of the Ministry of Science and Technology emphasized that "design, material and quality are the three key scientific and technological issues of 3D printing. Personalized design, development of raw materials, improvement of process level, cost reduction, improvement of industrial chain, applicability and popularity are important considerations for pushing 3D printing into large-scale application. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has completed the preliminary formulation of the "National Additive Manufacturing Development and Promotion Program (2014-2020)" (draft); the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments to promote the innovation and upgrading of additive technology by launching various support funds. Governments at all levels and relevant departments have also been actively planning and implementing the introduction and application of 3D printing technology in various forms.

　　In the domestic and foreign policy, industrial environment situation is very good, Zong Guisheng also have their own views and understanding of the 3D industry. And adhere to the pursuit of 3D printing for twenty years and never give up, and at the same time good at seizing the opportunity to jump out of the circle to see the industry's rich experience, so that he sees the industry more thorough and comprehensive.

　　Zong Guisheng believes that despite the rapid growth of 3D printing, but relative to the entire manufacturing industry, the total value of its output is still insignificant. For labor-intensive, batch production of the traditional manufacturing model, 3D printing does not prevail. 3D printing is suitable for the production of small quantities, multiple varieties of customized products, personalized high-volume manufacturing, especially in the manufacture of complex products unique advantages. 3D printing to help transform traditional industries, as if turning stone into gold.

　　It is based on the deep grasp and understanding of the current situation of 3D printing industry at home and abroad, which provides reference and direction for Zong Guisheng's next planning and layout in the field of 3D printing. He put forward the development strategy of "developing independent technology, focusing on the Chinese market, and rapid capitalization" of SANDI Printing. He believes that domestic science and technology enterprises engaged in the 3D printing industry need to learn the spirit of science, truthfulness and pragmatism in the study of 3D printing technology, the development of equipment, materials and applications.

To the distance: practicing the grand blueprint

　　To, achieve, realize. Far, ideal, goal. Zhiyuan means to have strong beliefs and high aspirations, to pursue excellence and to create the future.

　　At the end of 2014, a good news - in the powder metallurgy technology innovation strategic alliance recommendation, led by Longyuan molding "based on selective laser melting (SLM) technology digital metal parts forming machine" project was approved "2014 Zhongguancun Industrial Technology Alliance major application demonstration project", became the only project in the approved project in the field of 3D printing. Application Demonstration Project", becoming the only project in the field of 3D printing among the approved projects. The project aims to realize the demonstration application of SLM metal direct molding equipment, and further realize the industrialization of SLM molding equipment in the aerospace and medical fields through the cooperation with Beijing Global Precision Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Company Limited and Xi'an Jiaye Aeronautical Science and Technology Company Limited, driving the comprehensive upgrade of the related industries.

　　This is a perfect opportunity for Zong Guisheng, who resigned from his executive position in a foreign company in early 2015 and devoted himself to the full operation and layout of 3D printing. In Zong Guisheng's view, this is the most perfect realm of life value embodiment, that is, driven by a clear goal, follow their hearts to pursue a kind of freedom.

　　After years of practice, accumulation and summarization, Zong Guisheng for the company's development plan has long been clear in his mind, and in the tent step by step in the realization of the schedule:

　　M&A Growth. After taking the lead in merging 3D printing veteran Longyuan Molding into the SANDY Printing Group, we have also combined 3D printing technology into the R&D and manufacturing of rehabilitation aids through the merger and acquisition of Beijing Global Precision Rehabilitation Aids Technology Company Limited, a leading domestic rehabilitation aids company, to enhance the level of rapid personalized customization in the domestic rehabilitation aids industry. The company will combine 3D printing technology into the R&D and manufacturing of rehabilitation aids to enhance the level of rapid personalized customization in domestic rehabilitation aids industry.

　　Civilian & Service. Founded Shenzhen Seven Technology Co., Ltd. to focus on the research, development, production and sales of civil-grade 3D printing equipment. Developed IoT 3D printers and applied for a number of invention patents, including full-color 3D printing equipment and materials.

　　Cloud Manufacturing Platform. Build a 3D printing service platform, the Everything Printing Network, to provide a design trading platform and create a cloud manufacturing environment for personalized and small batch production. Increase investment in everything from photos and videos to 3D modeling, solve the problem of difficult print data, and expand the public's participation in 3D printing applications.

　　Core Technology. Established a 3D printing software company in Beijing, focusing on the independent research and development of core software such as 3D printing slicing software, control software, 3D modeling software, etc.; established a CTO team (Chief Technology Office - it's Office, not Officer), standardized projects to focus on the research and development of printing materials and printing systems. R&D of printing materials and printing systems, currently has 6 invention patents in application.

　Government-enterprise cooperation. Cooperate with the government of Yongkang City, Zhejiang Province to establish Yongkang Longyuan Molding Technology Co., Ltd. and dedicate to the application of 3D printing technology in the fields of high-end industrial equipment manufacturing, aerospace, medical equipment and other fields, as well as the enhancement of the technical level of local enterprises in Yongkang.

　　Combination of industry, academia and research. Hefei University of Technology and the joint preparation of 3D printing technology research institute, Zong Guisheng was appointed as a part-time professor, and is proposed to be the director of the 3D printing technology research institute. The institute to build China's 3D printing technology innovation and industrialization center for the goal of deepening the 3D printing industry, industry-university-research cooperation, gathering innovative resources, breakthroughs in key industrial technologies, the construction of innovative industrial clusters, to create a complete industrial chain, will play a positive role in promoting.

　　Advocating development together. Zong Guisheng was selected as the chairman of the newly established 3D printing technical committee of China Powder Metallurgy Technology Innovation Strategy Alliance. The committee gathers technical leaders in the 3D printing industry and many "National Thousand" talents, aiming to innovate the cooperation mechanism, combine industry, academia and research, open up the 3D printing industry chain, make joint efforts to solve the key technical bottlenecks faced by China's 3D printing industry in the process of development, accelerate the technological innovation and upgrading of the new materials and equipment in the industry, expand the application scope of 3D printing technology, and ultimately help build a new industry from the powder raw materials to the new equipment, and expand the application scope of 3D printing technology. In order to expand the application scope of 3D printing technology, we will ultimately assist in building a 3D printing industry system from powder raw materials to downstream applications, and form a personalized economy of scale.

　　Zong Guisheng believes that there is no scientific and technological innovation of the enterprise, like a plant growing in the dark, no photosynthesis to generate the nutrients it must, the plant will slowly lose the energy to grow. Therefore, the long-term, stable development of enterprises need to continue to innovate science and technology to support the enterprise to science and technology as the forerunner, market-oriented, "Dugong" can be "far".

　　Zong Guisheng has integrated his understanding of the spirit of science and his belief in the pursuit of truth into the actual management and operation of the enterprise, and has outlined a 3D printing operation system for SANDY Printing, which is comprehensively supported by software, system, application, sales and service: Beijing Longyuan Automatic Forming System Co. Ltd. (medical rehabilitation aids) and Yongkang 3D Printing Application Research Institute (3D printing "innovation workshop") as the application; and "Everything Print" network (cloud service, cloud manufacturing) as the printing service platform. The overall layout of ...... covers industrial-grade and civil-grade 3D printers, 3D printing materials and 3D printing services. It stands out in the domestic 3D printing industry.

　　Of course, all strategies and planning ultimately rely on people to realize. In Zong Guisheng's layout planning, talent and team building is the most important core issue. He formulated the "three emperor ten" talent program for the company, clear training dozens of technical and management team members of the timetable, many of the current talent to join the three emperor printing, determined to develop together with the company. At present, SANDY Printing has completed tens of millions of financing, according to the standardized operation of listed companies.

　　For the future development, Zong Guisheng revealed his own concept: in the traditional manufacturing and sales model, there is a large number of design works in the design stage of the waste, the consumption of a large number of resources in the production and circulation of products, as well as end-users on the recognition of the final product and other issues. If combined with the advantages of 3D printing "personalized customization", the establishment of big data as the support of the designer platform, to create a distributed manufacturing sites around the world, through the "cloud" service, "rain" type manufacturing, it can be a good idea. "Raindrop" type manufacturing, can be a good solution to these problems. In this distributed manufacturing model, the decentralized network replaces intermediate links such as logistics, thus eliminating transaction costs at every stage of the traditional supply chain. And even the average consumer without modeling knowledge can use an online designer platform to model ideas and then print them out on the nearest 3D printer. "This is a brand new business manufacturing model, which we can call D2C (Designer to Customer), and this is the goal and direction we want to strive and achieve." Zong Guisheng has a longer-term plan for the development road ahead, and remains confident.

Photo: Zong Guisheng's 3D printed head and parts made with his 3D printer, 1994

postscript

　　In Zong Guisheng's view, as one of the key technologies of the new round of global digital manufacturing, 3D printing successfully bridges virtual digital intelligent technology with real industrial products.The industrial revolution that 3D printing technology will trigger is a revolution in product manufacturing, design, materials, and biology, not just a manufacturing industrial revolution. To realize this revolution, there is still a long way to go in terms of cost reduction, efficiency improvement, material innovation, designers and entrepreneurs mindset change and many other aspects that require greater development and improvement.

　　"Neither a bubble nor a godsend, 3D printing is a disruptive technology. In the long run, 3D printing will eventually bring disruptive changes to the traditional industrial manufacturing model and economic organization model." Zong Guisheng said, "as if many years ago, some people did not understand the network online marketing is going on at the beginning, can not see its rapid development, and now the market has proved everything through the facts. 3D printing is the same, when you ignore it, it is still growing in still water, cumulative flow to the sea, in the honing of connotation and the depth of the merit of the collection of energy. When you suddenly wake up, it has already metamorphosed into a magnificent mold." (Text/Jiayu)