Nihon Chuzo Co., Ltd., a century-old foundry and part of the JFE Group, a Japanese steel and engineering conglomerate, will install the country’s largest metal powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) 3D printer in April 2026. The system, developed by Bright Laser Technologies (BLT), a Chinese manufacturer of multi-laser metal 3D printing systems used in aerospace and heavy industry, will be supplied through Orix Rentec Corporation, a Japanese technology leasing and distribution firm that serves as BLT’s official local partner. Japanese industry outlets including Nikkei, Sangyo Shimbun, and Tekko Shimbun reported that the machine will be the largest metal PBF 3D printer operating domestically once installed, marking a major step toward large-scale additive manufacturing in Japan.
The adoption of BLT’s large-format system will expand its additive manufacturing capacity from a build volume of 260 × 260 × 290 mm to 450 × 450 × 500 mm, an increase of more than fivefold. The company will also upgrade from a single-laser configuration to an eight-laser system, allowing for faster, high-throughput metal production. This configuration is designed to accommodate 12-inch (φ304.8 mm) semiconductor wafer components, which have become standard in semiconductor equipment manufacturing. According to reports, the larger build area and multi-laser architecture will shorten production times and reduce costs for precision parts that previously required conventional casting methods.
Japanese media emphasized that the installation is part of Nihon Chuzo’s broader modernization plan. The company aims to evaluate even larger additive systems in the future, gradually shifting suitable cast components to 3D printing to lower manufacturing costs and address a shortage of skilled technicians. This strategy aligns with Japan’s industrial goals to strengthen domestic production through automation, digitalization, and sustainable manufacturing processes. BLT confirmed that its selection reflects growing demand from Japanese manufacturers for scalable and production-ready metal 3D printing platforms capable of operating continuously at industrial scale.
Established more than a century ago, the Japanese foundry specializes in advanced casting processes, including resin sand and shell molding, VRH hardening, and horizontal continuous casting. Its facilities produce cast iron components up to 100 tons and cast steel components up to 50 tons, serving sectors such as heavy machinery and semiconductor equipment. The adoption of BLT’s large-format PBF technology demonstrates the company’s transition from traditional casting to high-precision additive methods. BLT’s system was selected for its multi-laser stability, long-duration process reliability, and integrated ecosystem of equipment, materials, software, and applications supporting industrial production.
Japan Expands Metal and Polymer 3D Printing Infrastructure
In November 2025, Nikon Corporation, a Japanese optics and precision equipment manufacturer, installed a Solukon SFM-AT1000-S automated depowdering system at the Nikon AM Technology Center Japan (NAMTC Japan) in Saitama Prefecture. Opened earlier that year, the 922 m² facility serves as a research, development, and service hub for metal additive manufacturing, equipped with an NXG XII 600 printer, post-processing systems, and metrology tools. The Solukon system is designed for parts up to 800 kg, matching the NXG XII 600’s 600 × 600 × 600 mm build volume. It connects to the company’s digital workflow using Solukon’s Digital-Factory-Tool interface to record and transmit depowdering process data via OPC UA. The installation enables automated powder removal for large components and uses SPR-Pathfinder software to calculate motion sequences based on CAD geometry for efficient depowdering of intricate internal channels.
Separately, SOLIZE PARTNERS, a Japanese additive manufacturing and engineering company, signed a distributor agreement with Formlabs to sell its SLA and SLS 3D printers in Japan and became the world’s first Formlabs Development and Manufacturing Partner. The collaboration allows SOLIZE PARTNERS to work directly with Formlabs’ R&D team on material development and custom print parameters. The company supplies printers including the Form 4L and Fuse 1+ 30W, supports installation and process optimization, and provides customer assistance for production workflow improvements. The partnership expands local access to Formlabs’ equipment and materials portfolio within Japan’s growing additive manufacturing market.
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Featured photo shows BLT S450 metal additive manufacturing system. Photo via Bright Laser Technologies.
