A sand mold 3D printer developed by a Taicang company in Jiangsu province has won third prize at the 2017 Jiangsu Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition held in Zhangjiagang from July 31 to Aug 3.

Using 3D printing technology, the sand mold 3D printer replaces the traditional procedures of mold making, molding, core making and mold clamping, with just one click of a button.

The printer is capable of producing a diverse range of products, reducing manufacturing time, and avoiding environmental harm, which impressed the judges.

The competition was sponsored by Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, and organized by Suzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League and Zhangjiagang government.

Since beginning in May, the competition has received 2,381 project applications, 329 of which made it through to the provincial-level final.

Projects entering the final competition included 105 commerce and industry projects, 105 modern agriculture and rural e-commerce projects, 50 internet projects, and 38 mobile apps.