汉邦激光 showcases metal 3D-printed integrated frame at 2026 AMTS, targeting automotive lightweight structural parts
Hardware
Originally reported by 南极熊
At the 2026 Automotive Manufacturing Technology & Supply Chain Exhibition (AMTS) in Shanghai, Hanbang Laser (汉邦激光) displayed a metal 3D-printed integrated frame sample, demonstrating the application of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) in automotive structural component development. The part, produced on Hanbang's industrial-scale LPBF system, consolidates multiple traditionally welded or bolted subcomponents into a single monolithic structure, targeting weight reduction and improved mechanical performance for electric vehicle (EV) body-in-white and chassis applications. Hanbang Laser, headquartered in Guangdong, China, is positioning the demonstration as a proof point for serial production of lightweight structural parts, moving beyond the tooling and prototype applications that have dominated automotive AM adoption to date.
This demonstration matters because it directly addresses the automotive vertical's long-standing skepticism about metal AM for structural, safety-critical parts. The automotive industry has largely confined AM to tooling, jigs, and low-stress brackets, with narrow serial-part use in premium or racing applications. Hanbang's integrated frame targets the core lightweighting challenge that automakers face in EV range extension, where every kilogram reduction directly improves battery efficiency. The move places Hanbang in direct competition with established metal AM OEMs such as EOS, SLM Solutions (Nikon), and Trumpf, as well as Chinese peers like BLT (Bright Laser Technologies) and Farsoon, all of whom are pursuing automotive structural applications. However, Hanbang's differentiation lies in its domestic supply chain integration and cost structure, which aligns with the broader Chinese localization arc in metal AM. The key question is whether Hanbang can move from show-floor samples to qualified production programs, which requires not just machine capability but also material qualification, process repeatability, and crash-simulation validation data that automakers demand.
From a practical standpoint, this is a credible but early-stage signal. Hanbang must now convert the AMTS demonstration into a named automotive OEM program with defined part numbers, production volumes, and qualification timelines. The company's ability to provide not just the printer but also the process parameters, material certification, and post-processing workflow will determine whether this remains a trade-show exhibit or becomes a genuine production reference. For automotive buyers, the integrated frame concept is technically compelling, but the adoption clock depends on Hanbang delivering a complete manufacturing solution, not just a printed part.
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