CharmRay Laser to Deliver Over 100 Shoe-Mold Metal 3D Printing Systems This Year, Driving Civilian Mass-Manufacturing Markets

The 2025 Formnext Shenzhen exhibition welcomed more than 20,000 professionals onsite, while Panda3dp.com’s livestream drew an additional 34,000 online viewers.

At the booth of fast-rising metal 3D printer manufacturer CharmRay Laser, General Manager Zhou highlighted the company’s M460 shoe-mold system—purpose-built for the booming footwear mold sector—and shared achievements in robotics, 3C electronics, and tire molds, showcasing a clear strategy to penetrate civilian mass-manufacturing markets.

1. Strategic Core: The M460 Shoe-Mold System and Automated Production Line

According to Zhou, CharmRay Laser’s core business focus this year is shoe-mold printing. Based on deep insights into mold-making workflows, the company launched the customized M460 shoe-mold printer.

Key Advantages:

· High-Efficiency Six-Laser Configuration: Standard six-laser setup optimized for footwear molds, representing industry-leading productivity.

· Optimized Build Size (460 × 430 × 150 mm): Large enough to print three shoe molds at once, with 150 mm height matching common mold dimensions. Zhou noted that only two builds are needed for a complete mold set (mid-frame, sole, and insert), ensuring rapid turnover.

· Revolutionary Cart-Based Design: The lower module features a removable cart for seamless transitions.

o High Turnover: After printing, the cart is rolled out for cleaning and part removal, while a fresh cart with a new substrate is slotted in. Within just 15 minutes, the next job can begin—enabling near-continuous production.

o Foundation for Automation: The design prepares for future AGV or robotic handling, paving the way toward unmanned “smart factories.”

Market Progress:
CharmRay has already deployed a 1-to-4 powder recycling system and is on track to launch the first semi-automated shoe-mold production line for a Fujian-based client in early September 2025. With strong recognition from major mold makers and footwear brands in Fujian, Zhou forecasted sales of 80–100 systems in the province alone by year’s end, covering Quanzhou, Jinjiang, and Putian.

Internationally, installations in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian footwear hubs are planned, with at least 15 systems to be deployed by late 2025.

2. Expanding Applications: From Robotics to Ultra-Thin VR Glasses

Beyond footwear molds, CharmRay is exploring multiple high-precision applications:

· Robotics: Trial production of complex aluminum alloy joints for leading clients, laying groundwork for future batch manufacturing.

· 3C Electronics: A titanium VR headset frame just 0.4 mm thick and weighing only 6 grams. Zhou stressed that such thin-walled parts are impossible to reliably cast—only 3D printing can meet this demand, with customers now requesting 0.3 mm versions.

· Sports Equipment: Small-batch trials for top-tier bicycle manufacturers.

3. Future Roadmap: Targeting the Billion-Yuan Tire Mold Market

CharmRay has identified tire molds as its next strategic focus.

· Current Use: Printing highly intricate steel inserts for tire tread molds. With the rise of EVs, tread patterns are becoming increasingly complex, outpacing traditional methods and making 3D printing the preferred solution. These inserts are short, varied, and ordered in batches of dozens to hundreds—ideal for the M460 system’s production model.

· Challenges & Vision: The industry still faces high costs and post-processing hurdles (notably polishing) for full mold production. CharmRay’s ultimate goal is to enable complete tire mold printing. Collaborating with leading partners on new materials and processes, the company plans to develop specialized equipment and production lines for the tire industry, mirroring its shoe-mold strategy.

CharmRay Laser’s showcase was focused and pragmatic: deeply embedding itself in a single explosive market—footwear molds—while laying a broader foundation for future civilian applications. The M460 is not a mere iteration but a solution-driven innovation addressing pain points of efficiency, turnaround, and manpower. The cart-based design is particularly transformative. At the same time, demonstrations in robotics and electronics highlighted the company’s technical precision, while forward-looking investments in tire molds revealed long-term strategic vision. From specialized machines to automated production lines, CharmRay is steadily realizing its mission: empowering mass manufacturing in civilian industries.