Farsoon is launching the metal FS722M and the polymer Flight HT1002P-CAMS at Formnext, both built for series production. Together with a planned share placement of up to about 3 billion yuan, largely for a services platform, they show Chinese AM makers shifting from selling machines to running them for customers.
What changes in the two new machines?
Farsoon says it adjusted the FS722M and the Flight HT1002P-CAMS after listening to series-production customers. In the FS722M, features that were optional upgrades on the FS721M, namely eight lasers, beam shaping and a 650 mm Z-axis, are now standard. The software leans heavily on automated process control.
The polymer HT1002P-CAMS differs more visibly from its predecessors: the Z-axis grows from 450 mm to 650 mm and the laser count is doubled.
Why does the capital raise matter?
In October Farsoon's board approved a private placement of A-shares worth up to about 3 billion yuan (roughly 450 million dollars), around 25 percent below the original target. The cut came mostly from the services portion, which is still the largest at about 1.5 billion yuan, against 1 billion for machine development and 350 million for headquarters construction.
3D Printing Industry reported that Farsoon plans to use about 90 percent of up to 650 machines funded by the raise internally. That points to a model where the customer owns the machine but the OEM operates it.
Which applications is Farsoon targeting?
Chinese OEMs are bullish on AI hardware components. Farsoon also highlighted work on the Apollo Evo hypercar and has relationships with Brose and FAW-Volkswagen, which suggests an automotive focus ahead of the European show.
What it means
For European manufacturers, the signal is that large-chamber, multi-laser systems from China are being positioned for series production, with the OEM also offering to run them. That could lower the entry barrier for smaller firms that cannot staff a metal AM cell, but it shifts dependence to one supplier. Buyers should compare owned, operated and outsourced options on cost per part, and check qualification documentation and service coverage in the EU before relying on any of them. This continues the earlier Farsoon launch stories.
Frequently asked questions
What are the two new Farsoon machines?
The FS722M is a metal system and the Flight HT1002P-CAMS is a polymer system. Both target customers using AM in daily series production.
What does the capital raise fund?
Up to about 3 billion yuan is planned: about 1.5 billion for the services platform, 1 billion for machine development and 350 million for headquarters construction.
What does the services shift mean?
Farsoon reportedly plans to use about 90 percent of the machines funded by the raise itself, pointing to a model where the OEM operates machines the customer owns.