By li, chen Elastomer 3D printing is standing at the critical crossroads between the lab and the factory floor.
For elastomer 3D printing to achieve scaled applications, it has always faced three unavoidable challenges: slow speed, small build size, and high costs. This means what the industry truly needs isn’t just faster lab equipment—it’s an industrial-grade machine capable of handling mass production tasks. At the opening of Formnext Asia 2026 Shenzhen on August 26, UnionTech globally launched the Cute800 elastomer 3D printer—a new answer designed specifically to address these mass production pain points.
01 — Cute800: Redefining the boundaries of elastomer mass production
As the undisputed star of this exhibition, the launch of the Cute800 DLP elastomer 3D printer marks UnionTech’s deep strategic deployment in the field of elastomer batch production.
The Cute800’s core breakthrough lies in its build size.
With a build volume of 819×432×400mm, it brings nearly meter-class large-format batch production capabilities to elastomer 3D printing for the first time—whether for full-plate layout of shoe midsoles or one-piece printing of large components such as automotive seals and flexible robotic joints, no longer constrained by platform size.
As the build size expands, precision does not come at a cost.
The Cute800 is equipped with an 8K ultra-high-resolution light source system, delivering a contrast ratio exceeding 1100:1, light intensity uniformity of 95%, peak power of 32W, and power density of 5.4mW/cm². This optical solution ensures reliable reproduction of detailed complex structures across the ultra-large build platform.
In terms of production efficiency, the Cute800 performs at full capacity. Taking a 41-size 3D-printed shoe as an example: the full plate can accommodate 12 pairs, printed in just 5 hours.
The new product employs a high-stability top-projection technology, which significantly reduces support usage compared to conventional solutions. Combined with the one-component resin’s ready-to-use, no-mix formulation, the production process is greatly streamlined.
The device is optionally equipped with an automatic part removal + intelligent resin refill dual-module system, enabling 24-hour continuous automated production with minimal manual intervention throughout the process.
More importantly, the high-precision temperature control system operates through coordinated heating of the resin tank bottom and the scraper, coupled with high-sensitivity temperature sensors for real-time feedback, achieving full-platform temperature control accuracy of ±3°C.
From large format to high precision, from reduced supports to full automation—behind every technical specification of the Cute800, the same industry question is being answered: Can elastomer 3D printing achieve stable mass production like injection molding?
UnionTech has delivered its answer with this machine.
02 — Full product portfolio covering from prototyping to batch manufacturing
Beyond the Cute800, UnionTech’s booth also showcased multiple flagship industrial models, covering the three major additive manufacturing technology routes: SLA, DLP, and SLM.
Among them, the Muees 430L metal 3D printer features a four-laser, multi-galvanometer configuration with a maximum scanning speed of 6m/s and a build volume of 430×340×330mm. The FX380 elastomer batch production printer is purpose-built for scaled footwear manufacturing, capable of simultaneously printing 6 standard-sized shoes in 3.5 hours.
In addition, the Martrix520 high-precision LCD printer and the Cute380 high-quality DLP printer were also on display.
From the Cute380 to the FX380 and now the Cute800, UnionTech’s strategic roadmap in the elastomer space has formed a clear progression pathway—prototyping, small-batch production, and scaled mass production—each stage equipped with the corresponding platform.
This is not just a display of technological prowess, but also a demonstration that this company, with years of deep experience in the industrial-grade 3D printing sector, is building a complete additive manufacturing value chain covering materials, equipment, software, and processes.
03 — Two keynote speeches targeting two “high-growth” sectors
Beyond the products, application scenarios are also expanding in parallel.
UnionTech delivered two high-profile industry keynote presentations at the exhibition, addressing two rapidly growing application scenarios: humanoid robotics and the footwear industry.
At the Robotics and Embodied Intelligence Forum, Application Development Director Zeng Ang explored the application of 3D-printed flexible bodies in creating “soft robotic integuments,” addressing pain points such as interactive safety and motion energy consumption.
At the Footwear Innovation Forum, Footwear Business Head Wang Zhoutai showcased two mass-production pathways—from metal shoe molds to direct printing of elastomer whole-shoes—and unveiled the company’s single-component elastomer resin material system.
These two presentations targeted two fast-growing market segments—humanoid robotics and footwear—and also reflected UnionTech’s integrated “equipment + materials + process” approach in the elastomer field.
Final thoughts
True “leading smart manufacturing” may not be limited to the launch of new products, but rather ensuring that every piece of equipment runs stably on the production line, continuously produces, and creates tangible industrial value.
As the Cute800 brings 800mm-class large-format capability into factory workshops, the era of mass production for elastomer 3D printing may truly be just around the corner.
3dzyk