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National Engineering Research Center of Die & Mold CAD

SoftwareShanghai, ChinaFounded 1996· One of 350 Software companies tracked by AMPulse

Provides an additive manufacturing digital intelligent industrial platform integrating proprietary CAD, CAM, CAE, and PLM software for design-to-manufacturing workflow optimization

CEO / Founder
Sun Baode
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$7M
Latest Round
Grant
Key Investors
World Bank, MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology of China)

Technology & Products

Key Products

CAD software; CAM software; CAE software; Lattice performance prediction simulation software; PLM system

Technological Advantage

Proprietary software platform validated through 20+ years of research in mold CAD technology, with early adoption of rapid prototyping/3D printing since 2000-2001

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces development time and costs for complex molds through integrated digital tools that enable simulation and optimization before physical production

How They Differentiate

Specialized focus on mold design and manufacturing applications with deep integration of AM workflows, compared to general-purpose CAD/CAM solutions from global competitors

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Manufacturing enterprises requiring digital transformation in mold design and production

Industry Verticals

Manufacturing; Automotive; Consumer Goods; Aerospace

Competitors

Dassault Systèmes; Siemens; PTC

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Over 2.3 billion RMB in research funding in the past five years, 3,200+ SCI papers published, 1,637 patent applications (966 authorized), and 8 high-impact papers in Science/Nature as first/corresponding author since 2017.

Major Milestones

1996: Established as national engineering research center; 2000-2001: Began rapid prototyping/3D printing services, producing nearly 10,000 prototype parts; 2011: Reorganized into Plastic Forming Technology and Equipment Research Institute

https://smse.sjtu.edu.cn/kxyj/yjjd/view/69

Why this company matters

SJTU-National Engineering Research Center of Die & Mold CAD focuses on a specialized niche: providing a fully integrated digital platform for additive manufacturing workflows in mold design and production. Unlike general-purpose CAD/CAM suites from global competitors such as Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, or PTC, this center's software stack is purpose-built for the mold industry, combining proprietary CAD, CAM, CAE, and PLM tools with lattice performance prediction simulation. The platform enables manufacturing enterprises to simulate and optimize complex molds before physical production, reducing development time and costs.

The center's core technology centers on polymer additive manufacturing, with a history dating back to early adoption of rapid prototyping and 3D printing in 2000-2001, when it produced nearly 10,000 prototype parts. Its software platform is validated by over 20 years of research in mold CAD technology, supported by a strong IP portfolio of 966 authorized patent applications as of 2025. The platform targets manufacturing enterprises in automotive, consumer goods, and aerospace sectors that require digital transformation in mold design and production.

Strategically positioned as a research institution rather than a commercial software vendor, the center benefits from deep ties to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and national research bodies such as the National Digital Manufacturing Technology Center. This academic foundation has yielded over 3,200 SCI papers and 2.3 billion RMB in research funding over five years, but it also raises questions about commercial scalability and go-to-market execution versus established enterprise software providers. The center's competitive moat lies in its specialized mold focus and fully self-owned IP across the entire AM software stack, a rare combination in the polymer AM software landscape.