Chinese Startup Dewu Claims 45% Savings on Metal 3D Printing Post-Processing

A Chinese startup called Dewu Technology is trying to make metal 3D printing cheaper by attacking post-processing costs. The company, founded in May 2024, says its LPBF process reduces post-processing from about 70% of total part cost down to 10-20%.

The key is a smaller, tighter laser spot. Dewu's systems can print walls as thin as 30 micrometers and achieve surface roughness of 1 micrometer. Those specs mean parts come off the printer closer to their final shape. Less grinding, less polishing, less time on the bench.

The tradeoff is that Dewu's printers cost more than traditional LPBF systems. The company argues the higher upfront cost is offset by the savings downstream. Total cost per part drops by roughly 45%, according to Dewu founder Wang Zhou.

Investors noticed. Dewu just closed a pre-Series A round led by GSR United Capital and Jintou Zhiyuan. The exact amount is undisclosed, but Chinese tech media reports the company has raised "tens of millions of yuan" to date, suggesting a total in the $5-15 million range.

The team has ties to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which is also part of the consortium behind BLT's recent high-precision metal printing breakthroughs. That connection gives Dewu some credibility in a market where young startups often struggle to prove consistent output.

Dewu is targeting consumer electronics and data center thermal management. Those markets need tiny, precise metal parts in volume. If the company can deliver on its specs at scale, it could carve out a meaningful niche in a sector currently dominated by established players like EOS and HP.