※ Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Startup Support Group provides promising startups with space, mentoring, networking, and commercialization support through its Business Incubation Center, aiding their growth. 'Startup in Science and Technology University' shares stories of startups aspiring to leap forward with the university's Business Incubation Center as their base.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making significant changes in the 3D printing market as it enters both industrial sites and daily life. The Icelandic startup Euler is developing technology that predicts defects in advance by analyzing photos of metal powder 3D printer outputs with AI. There are also cases like Oqton, which creates AI-based operating systems for task allocation, scheduling, structure generation, and path optimization, and products like the Bamboo Lab P2 series that apply AI-based nozzle clog detection, calibration, and stabilization by integrating built-in cameras and sensors.


The global 3D printer market is rapidly growing by more than 10% annually, driven by AI, bringing changes to the domestic industry as well. Kim Hyun-seok, CEO of MINE3DP, started the 3D printing business in August 2020 and is currently expanding his business across the entire 3D printer industry, including products, materials, and technical education. This year, he has made a mark by introducing the Snapmaker U1 printer, which incorporates generative AI with 2D images to convert them into 3D for printing and features AI error detection based on onboard cameras, for the first time in Korea. A visit to MINE3DP was made to discuss the overall business.

Fascinated by the first encounter with a 3D printer 15 years ago... Now involved in sales and education

Kim Hyun-seok first encountered a 3D printer 15 years ago. While majoring in electronic engineering at university, he participated in a conference held by Waseda University in Japan, where he first encountered a 3D printer. After building a career as a researcher and engineer, he felt the potential in the 3D printer market and decided to start a business in 2020. He was asked to introduce the business areas of MINE3DP.

Kim Hyun-seok explained, “We handle 3D printers that use plastic filament and liquid (SLA) 3D printers. Brands include Cubicon and Bamboo Lab, and we will start selling the Snapmaker U1 for the first time in Korea at the end of this year.” In terms of education, he said, “I am working as an adjunct professor for a 3D printing liberal arts course at Shinhan University and have been a lecturer for a 3D printing major course in the mechanical engineering department at Induk University for four years. Additionally, I am involved in 3D printing education and production for students and entrepreneurs at makerspaces and educational institutions around Seoul and Gyeonggi-do.”


He has a deep connection with makerspaces. Currently, he is conducting education for 3D printer users, robot makers, makerspace officials, and practitioners at Gwangwoon Creative Lab, and since June, he has been operating the 'Maker School Dobong,' a makerspace within Dobong District Office. Maker School Dobong conducts maker equipment education, one-day classes, and supports school projects like 'Maker Teens' and community projects like 'Maker Planet.' As of September, more than 10,000 people have participated, making it a representative makerspace in Dobong-gu.

Seoul Science and Technology University Business Incubation Center, from space provision to business support

Kim Hyun-seok was previously involved in the campus town project, which included Seoul Women’s University, Samyook University, and Seoul Science and Technology University, and also went through the Gwangwoon University campus town project. He applied for the Seoul Science and Technology University Business Incubation Center project because the university’s makerspace specialized lab could create high synergy with his current business. Kim Hyun-seok said, “The makerspace operated by the university is high-level, equipped with not only 3D printers but also metal printers. Additionally, the startup support ecosystem, such as the preliminary startup package and early startup package, is rich in know-how and networks, which led me to apply for residency.”


Kim Hyun-seok moved into the Business Incubation Center in 2023 and is now in his third year after passing the review again this year. When asked why the residency period is relatively long compared to other companies, he answered that it is because he consistently achieves results in his business. Kim Hyun-seok said, “The Business Incubation Center is a place that helps the continuous growth of companies. Fortunately, sales have been growing every year, and there are many opportunities for collaboration, such as education and 3D printing-related mentoring within the university, which seems to have been beneficial.” Additionally, it provides support for necessary tasks for startups, such as accounting or administrative support and counseling, as well as collaboration methods like industry-academia cooperation and networking days.

He also mentioned that the entry into a new profit commercialization business utilizing AI seems to have been well-received. Kim Hyun-seok said, “Recently, we have started businesses such as creating 2D characters from ID photos using generative AI, converting them into 3D for printing, or creating 2D mascots directly into 3D printer forms. There are also methods for creating models that can be printed with a 3D printer by inputting messages. Education that combines generative AI and 3D printers is well-received and positive for commercialization.” His constant concern is to develop something new to differentiate from other companies and avoid stagnation.

The market is challenging, but MINE3DP’s business is optimistic

The situation in the Korean 3D printer market is not favorable. According to the '2024 3D Printing Industry Survey' published by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), the size of the domestic 3D printing market was KRW 599.7 billion in 2022 and KRW 612.5 billion in 2023. The growth rate in one year was only about 2.1%. In contrast, the global market size, as compiled by the 3D printer specialist report Wallas Report, was USD 18 billion in 2022 and USD 20 billion in 2023, growing by more than 10%, highlighting the stagnation of the domestic market.


Kim Hyun-seok said, “In fact, the domestic 3D printer industry is in an ice age. As government R&D budgets decrease, the demand for 3D printing education and equipment has also decreased, and companies in similar industries are facing difficulties. In preparation for this, we have been introducing the latest products like the Snapmaker U1 to the market early, researching material mixing or fusion methods, and creating AI-based educational curriculums. Thanks to this, the business is growing every year.”

Finally, when asked about future directions, Kim Hyun-seok said, “Our goal is to help manufacturing entrepreneurs or those who find it difficult to use printers. It is a task to spread the 3D printer culture. To this end, we are preparing education on various tasks, including printers, materials, printing time, and post-processing work. I believe this entire process is the essence of the maker business,” adding, “I will strive to establish a culture where we can use 3D printers in everyday life rather than being 3D printer experts.”

IT Donga Nam Si-hyun Reporter (sh@itdonga.com)

Popular News