About Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

The Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology was founded in 1994 by Professor Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a leading figure in the field of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in China. The institute's predecessor was the "Machine Tool Fundamental Theory Research Laboratory," established by Professor Gu Chongxian, one of the principal founders of China’s mechanical manufacturing discipline. Over the past 30 years, the institute has formed a strong teaching and research team composed of faculty, dedicated researchers, and technicians, totaling over 70 members. Among them are one academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, three recipients of the "National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars", three Changjiang Distinguished Professors, one leading talent in technological innovation of the "Ten Thousand Talents Program," one National Overseas Distinguished Professor, three recipients of the "National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars", four Changjiang Young Scholars, two young top-notch talents of the "Ten Thousand Talents Program," two recipients of the "Overseas Excellent Young Scholars Fund", and ten recipients of "Top 100 National PhD Theses" or Hiwin Excellent Doctoral Thesis awards.

The institute is committed to addressing the world's technological frontiers, the major needs of the nation, the key sectors of the economy, and people's health and well-being.  It continuously enhances its technological innovation capabilities and competitiveness in science and technology, forming distinctive research directions such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), high-end/intelligent manufacturing equipment, composite material forming and testing, micro-nano manufacturing, and bio-manufacturing and testing. It is an integral part of the National Key Laboratory for Precision Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, the National Engineering Research Center for Rapid Manufacturing, the Collaborative Innovation Center for High-end Manufacturing Equipment, and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center. In the past five years, the institute has undertaken more than 80 major projects, including the National Key R&D Program, National Scientific and Technological Major Projects, Major Instrument projects and key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and national defense and military projects. It has received 3 Second Prizes for National Technological Invention, 1 Second Prize for National Science and Technology Progress, and 18 First Prizes at the provincial and ministerial levels.

The institute is responsible for the development and teaching of core courses such as "Fundamentals of Mechanical Manufacturing Technology" and "Additive Manufacturing Technology" for the college. The courses "Fundamentals of Mechanical Manufacturing Technology" and "CDIO Project Practice" have been recognized as national first-class courses. The "Fundamentals of Mechanical Manufacturing Technology" course has been approved as the only virtual teaching and research office of its kind by the Ministry of Education. The textbook "Fundamentals of Mechanical Manufacturing Technology," edited by Academician Lu Bingheng, won the First Prize of the inaugural National Outstanding Textbook Award in 2021 (the only textbook of its kind). The faculty from the institute has been awarded 6 Second Prizes for National Teaching Achievements, 2 Special Prizes and 1 First Prize for Teaching Achievements in Shaanxi Province.

The institute has extensive international exchanges and has established cooperative relationships with the universities and research institutions across over 10 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Singapore. Each year, international graduates/doctoral students from several countries come to the institute to pursue their studies, and approximately 20 postgraduate students and PhD students go abroad to receive joint training and pursue degrees at world-renowned universities.

At this new historical juncture, under the leadership of Academician Lu Bingheng, the institute adheres to the philosophy of "pursuing first-class academic research and creating top-notch technologies." It deeply implements Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on the fundamental task of cultivating virtue and talent, and upholding the "Four Orientations" in scientific research. The institute strives to advance the "double First-Class" construction of the "Mechanical Engineering" discipline, and endeavors to write a new chapter in development of the new era.

Research Directions

Direction 1: Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

• Additive Manufacturing in Space

• Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Materials

• Additive Manufacturing of Non-metallic Materials

• Additive Manufacturing of Smart Composite Materials

• Biofabrication and Bioprinting for Medical Applications

• Hybrid Manufacturing of Additive and Conventional Technologies

Direction 2: High-end/Intelligent Machining Technology and Equipment

• High Speed/Performance/Precision Machining

• Material Removal Mechanism of Ultra-high Speed Machining

• Design and Integrated Controlling Theory of Machine Tool Accuracy

• Digital Twin of Intelligent Production Line

Direction 3: Micro-nano Manufacturing and Smart Sensing

• Ultra-precision Measurement Technology and Equipment

• Micro-nano Manufacturing Technology and Its Application

• Bionic Manufacturing and Soft Robots

• Flexible Smart Sensing Technology

Direction 4: Composite Material Forming and Testing

• Functional/Intelligent Composites Design and Manufacturing

• Machine Vision and High-Precision Detection Technology

• Aeronautic and Astronautic Composites Forming Technology and Equipment

• Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) for Continuous Fibers Reinforced Polymer Composites