Agricultural machinery firm uses 3D printing to land W116m procurement deal

Hada, an agricultural machinery manufacturer based in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, has used government-supported 3D printing equipment to develop farm machinery parts and secure a procurement contract worth 116 million won ($85,600).

The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs announced Wednesday that President Kim Young-sin visited the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center at North Jeolla Province Technopark and Hada on Tuesday to review outcomes from production equipment use and assess challenges faced at the company.

The Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center at North Jeolla TP installed a large-format SLA 3D printer for prototype production, an MJF 3D printer for pilot mass production and a 600kV X-ray scanner through TIPA's technopark production equipment advancement support program over a two-year period beginning in 2024.

Small and medium-sized enterprises in the mobility, defense, robotics and aerospace sectors use the equipment for prototype development, quality verification and safety evaluation.

Hada is among the companies that have made use of the equipment. Using the MJF 3D printer for pilot mass production, the company produced prototype parts for a garlic seeder and a distribution nozzle for an electrification onion transplanter currently under development. The company subsequently signed a 116 million won procurement contract for garlic rental farm machinery under a program to promote mechanization models for field crop farming, and filed two patents.

Founded in December 2012, Hada manufactures equipment that mechanizes the full cycle of garlic farming — from seeding and pest control to cutting, harvesting, drying and sorting. The company has expanded its product lineup to include ride-on cultivators and precision fertilizer spreaders, and is also developing agricultural robots.

According to Hada Chief Executive Ha Jong-woo, the company posted sales of 6.2 billion won last year, reflecting average annual growth of 27.5% since its founding. The company employs 40 people.

"The production equipment support is translating into prototype development and procurement contracts," Ha said. "We will continue to advance our products and technology to expand our supply chain presence in the smart farming sector."

TIPA President Kim said it is important that publicly supported production equipment be put to practical use in product development and commercialization by small and medium-sized enterprises. "We will work with technoparks to ensure that equipment and technology support leads to tangible results for companies," Kim said.