Xi'an Aerospace Additive Manufacturing

HardwareXi'an, ChinaFounded 2020· One of 1756 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Xi'an Aerospace Additive Manufacturing (Xikong Zhizao) provides intelligent metal and multi-material additive manufacturing (i-3D) solutions specializing in high-performance propulsion components for aerospace and energy sectors.

CEO / Founder: Wang Guangqiang
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $18.9M
Latest Round: Series A
Key Investors: Sirui Advanced Materials (斯瑞新材), Xi'an Jiaotong University (via IP transfer), Xi'an Aerospace Energy Power Research Institute, Qin Chuang Yuan Platform, CASStar (中科创星), Shaanxi Financial Holding Group, Shaanxi Investment Group, Xi'an Finance Investment, XJTU 1896

Technology & Products

Key Products

["i-3D Intelligent Manufacturing Framework (Forge-Point-Face technology)", "Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM) / EBSM Equipment", "Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) Online Monitoring & Quality Evaluation Systems", "Laser Forging Printing (LFP) Systems", "Laser Cladding Forging Composite Equipment", "Intelligent Laser Cladding Equipment for Aero-engine Blade Repair & Remanufacturing", "Plasma Surface Strengthening Systems", "Intelligent Surface Processing Robots (Grinding, Drilling, Marking)", "Mobile Additive Manufacturing Shelters (Containerized AM units)", "'Smart 3D' Closed-loop Control System with real-time defect detection", "Core Aerospace Components: Aero-engine casings, turbine blades, combustion chambers, 3D-printed rotor engines"]

Technological Advantage

Possesses proprietary stress-field regulation technology that allows for the successful 3D printing of 'hard-to-print' materials like molybdenum alloys and high-temperature superalloys with a density reaching 99.5%, while reducing deformation and cracking.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Utilizes the proprietary 'i-3D' framework to solve fatigue life and stress-induced cracking issues in metal 3D printing, enabling the production of high-strength, lightweight aerospace components that traditional manufacturing cannot achieve.

How They Differentiate

Xikong Zhizao differentiates through its proprietary 'i-3D' (intelligent 3D) framework, which integrates forging-level material properties with additive manufacturing ('Forge-Point-Face' technology). This hybrid approach specifically addresses fatigue life and internal defects in 'hard-to-print' aerospace materials like molybdenum and high-temperature alloys, whereas competitors often focus on high-throughput Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) or Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (CAS), Sichuan Aerospace Zhongtian Power, and new energy vehicle powertrain manufacturers.

Industry Verticals

["Aerospace & Aviation","Defense & Military","New Energy Propulsion","Advanced Equipment Manufacturing"]

Competitors

Bright Laser Technologies (BLT); Farsoon Technologies; Eplus3D

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Company has scaled to a registered capital of 60M RMB and was recognized as a National 'Specialized and Sophisticated Little Giant' enterprise in 2024.

Major Milestones

["2020-04: Company founded as a spin-off from Xi'an Jiaotong University's research results.", "2021: Completed Angel round of funding.", "2022-04: Received strategic investment from Sirui Advanced Materials.", "2023-05: Completed Pre-A round ($4.2M) led by CasStar and Shaanxi Investment Group.", "2023-10: Secured 10M RMB in specialized manufacturing loans from Guangfa Bank.", "2024-01: Completed Series A ($14.0M) led by Shaanxi Financial Holding.", "2024-03: WestAir entity completed Pre-A round (¥60M) from Shaanxi Investment Group.", "2024-09: Two core systems recognized as National Quality Additive Manufacturing Products by the state.", "2024: Designated as a National 'Specialized and Sophisticated Little Giant' enterprise.", "Successful application of AM parts in liquid rocket engines."]

Notable Customers

Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC); China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC); CASIC; LandSpace (蓝箭航天); Sichuan Aerospace Zhongtian Power; Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC)

https://www.xaktzz.com

Why this company matters

Xi'an Aerospace Additive Manufacturing (Xikong Zhizao) positions itself as a specialized challenger in high-end metal additive manufacturing for aerospace propulsion. Its core differentiator is the proprietary i-3D (Forge-Point-Face) framework, which integrates forging-level material properties with point-based and surface-based AM to eliminate residual stress and internal defects. This hybrid approach targets the fatigue life and stress-induced cracking problems that limit adoption of metal 3D printing for critical engine parts.

The company's technology portfolio spans multiple metal AM processes: laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), electron beam melting (EBM), and directed energy deposition (DED-LB). It also offers online monitoring and quality evaluation systems for LPBF, laser forging printing (LFP) systems, and intelligent laser cladding equipment for aero-engine blade repair. A closed-loop 'Smart 3D' control system provides real-time defect detection. The stress-field regulation technology enables printing of difficult materials such as molybdenum alloys and high-temperature superalloys at densities reaching 99.5%.

Customers include major Chinese aerospace entities: Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), CASIC, LandSpace, and COMAC. Applications center on liquid rocket engine components, aero-engine casings, turbine blades, and combustion chambers. The company has also developed containerized mobile AM shelters for field deployment.

Competing against established Chinese metal AM firms like Bright Laser Technologies, Farsoon, and Eplus3D, Xikong Zhizao differentiates through its forging-AM hybrid methodology rather than high-throughput LPBF alone. Backed by investors including Sirui Advanced Materials and CasStar, the company raised approximately $18.9M through Series A and was designated a National 'Specialized and Sophisticated Little Giant' enterprise in 2024. The key open question is whether its i-3D framework can scale beyond aerospace prototypes into serial production for broader industrial applications.