Main Torch Tower of the 15th National Games: A Masterpiece by Kings 3D!

On the evening of November 9, 2025, the 15th National Games of China opened grandly at the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center. As the torchbearer ascended with the "Bloom" torch in hand and ignited the 16.5-meter-high main torch tower, the ceremony reached its climax.

This monumental landmark — the visual and symbolic centerpiece of the opening ceremony — was designed, manufactured, and installed by Kings 3D's sub-brand, Ziyou (Free) 3D, using advanced FGF (Fused Granulate Fabrication) 3D printing technology.

From prototype initiation on August 10 to final installation on October 15, the project took 67 days and 1,600 hours of continuous effort, marking a new chapter in “3D Printing Empowering Large-Scale Sports Events.” It is also the first time in China’s sports history that large-scale 3D printing technology has been applied to the creation of an ultra-large, freeform torch sculpture.

1. Why Kings 3D? - The "Special Mission" of the Main Torch Tower

As the core visual symbol of the opening ceremony, the main torch tower had to meet three demanding requirements: 

Artistic Expression: Inspired by the concepts of the "Sail of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" and the "Chain of Technology," the design features three curved pillars rising like the waves of the Pearl River and a central disk resembling a blooming kapok flower — embodying both dynamic beauty and strength.

Functionality: The 16.5-meter-tall structure integrates an internal steel skeleton for stability and incorporates LED light beads within surface perforations, creating a radiant "glow from within" effect.

Iconic Durability: As a landmark for a national event, the structure required long-term outdoor durability, wind resistance for the Pearl River Delta's typhoon season, and high visual recognition.

Under traditional craftsmanship, such a complex, large-scale sculpture would require 3–5 months for segmented casting and manual welding, with difficulty ensuring curvature precision and structural consistency. Kings 3D's industrial-grade 3D printing technology provided the perfect solution.

Kings 3D's Technical Strength

As a leading enterprise in industrial 3D printing, Kings 3D has long specialized in cultural and architectural applications. With expertise in large-scale printing, structural optimization, and rapid delivery, the company has redefined what large-scale intelligent manufacturing can achieve.

Over the years, Kings 3D has completed over 200 large-scale 3D printing projects, including landmark installations such as:

• "China Equipment Science and Technology City Corridor" (Deyang, Sichuan)

• "Daughter City" (Enshi, Hubei) 

•  Longgang Theme Park (Shenzhen) 

•  MixC Phase II (Shenzhen Bay) 

•  Bengbu Science City (Anhui)

- The team’s full-chain capability spans digital modeling, material adaptation, and post-processing, excelling in: 

- Complex Surface Forming: FGF + FDM processes achieving millimeter-level accuracy 

- Large-scale Integrated Printing: Proprietary "segmented splicing + stress relief" technology overcoming size limitations 

- Functional Integration: Simultaneous printing of structural parts, decorative layers, and embedded wiring channels 

Recognizing this expertise, the organizing committee of the National Games selected Free 3D, a subsidiary of Kings 3D, as the exclusive 3D printing contractor for the main torch tower — launching a bold "fusion of technology and art."

2. From Concept to Reality — A 67-Day Engineering Journey Design Phase: Balancing Art and Engineering

At the start, the design team faced a key challenge: how to translate the abstract concept of a "flowing bay" and "blooming kapok" into a structurally feasible 3D model. The initial design featured 120° curved pillars and 60% hollow density in the central disk — stunning in form but structurally unstable.

To solve this, Kings 3D formed a Design–Engineering Joint Taskforce, adopting a reverse optimization approach:

• Topology Optimization: Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to simulate load distribution, removing non-load-bearing structures and reducing total weight by 30%. 

• Segmented Printing Strategy: The tower was divided into 10 printable segments with reinforced connection grooves for strength and assembly efficiency. 

• Material Compensation: Adjusted for ABS shrinkage (0.8–1.2%) with a 0.5mm/m tolerance to prevent deformation.

After design validation and small-scale model testing, full-scale production began in early September.

Printing Phase: 1,600 Hours of Non-Stop Operation

Thirty industrial-grade FGF printers (each with a 3×3×3m capacity) operated simultaneously at Kings 3D's Zhongshan facility.

Key data:

• Total printing time: 15 days continuous (1,600 machine-hours total) 

• Material consumption: 1.2 tons of ABS filament 

• Dimensional precision: Maximum deviation only 0.18mm (±0.05mm scanning verification)

Post-Processing: From Raw Print to Golden Sculpture 

To achieve a champagne-gold metallic surface, Kings 3D adopted a chemical roughening + conductive primer + non-cyanide electroplating process: 

• Surface polishing with 800-grit sanding 

• Conductive copper base coat (5μm) 

• Nickel (8μm) + gold (0.5μm) plating layers 

• Salt-spray resistance exceeding 500 hours 

• Lighting Integration: Breathing with Light

Over 4,000 LED beads were embedded through a pre-embedded flexible LED + optical light-guide panel system, creating a stunning "inner glow" visual effect.

Structural Reinforcement: Safety from the Inside

An internal steel frame with fiberglass mesh composite layers ensured strength. The hybrid structure increased tensile strength to 45MPa, far exceeding standard ABS.

Installation Phase: Precision in Motion

Within 7 days, the 28 pre-fabricated modules were assembled on-site at Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center. Using total-station measurement and hydraulic fine-tuning, the team achieved <1mm alignment deviation — a true "ballet in the air".

Efficiency and Innovation

Efficiency Revolution: Traditional casting takes 3+ months; Kings 3D completed it in 2 months — a 33% time reduction and ¥800,000 cost savings by eliminating molds.

Artistic Freedom: The double-helix curved columns achieved <0.2mm surface deviation, perfectly realizing the designer's concept of "flowing beauty". 

Functional Integration: Structural, decorative, and lighting systems were all realized within the printing stage, embodying Kings 3D’s philosophy — "Printed as Designed".

Conclusion

The main torch tower of the 15th National Games stands as a landmark achievement in the application of 3D printing to large-scale cultural engineering. It proves that 3D printing is no longer limited to small, intricate art pieces — it can also support nation-scale engineering masterpieces.

Moving forward, Kings 3D will continue advancing the integration of 3D printing, cultural innovation, and engineering, empowering more urban landmarks, cultural icons, and creative industries through technology. 

 The next miracle of Chinese intelligent manufacturing is already taking shape — and we're printing it together.

For more information of large-scale 3D printing, feel free to contact us! 

Credit to: Kings 3D content team (Photo credit: CCTV)