Trends in 3D Printing Development (1) Data Aspect 3D printing technology is a digital-driven manufacturing process, with its data development trends reflected in two areas:Firstly, the evolution of layering methods. Early digital layering techniques and path planning directly determine the efficiency and precision of subsequent physical layering. Currently, 3D printing primarily employs simple planar slicing, […]
3D printing technology is a digital-driven manufacturing process, with its data development trends reflected in two areas:
Firstly, the evolution of layering methods. Early digital layering techniques and path planning directly determine the efficiency and precision of subsequent physical layering.
Currently, 3D printing primarily employs simple planar slicing, but universities such as the University of Dayton and Stanford University have conducted research on data processing with a focus on layering methods, attempting to transition from traditional two-dimensional planar slicing to conformal curved surface slicing.
In China, this research plan was included in the Ministry of Science and Technology’s “Key Special Projects on Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing” in 2018.
Secondly, the diversification of data sources. The 3D models for printing can be obtained through 3D modeling or reverse engineering methods, even utilizing data from CT scans and digital cameras for model reconstruction, which is increasingly being used in 3D printing. However, there is some data distortion, and further research is needed.
The advancement of 3D printing is increasingly dependent on the development of materials, with two important trends:
Firstly, tissue engineering materials. Based on vascular and cell-loaded biomaterials, constructing living tissues and organs is the most crucial direction for material development in 3D printing and the most anticipated application field.
Secondly, special functional materials. Materials with specific electrical and magnetic properties, such as superconductors and magnetic storage media, as well as gradient functional materials, are also the focus of material research and development in 3D printing and represent the cutting-edge applications in the industrial field.
The mechanical structure of 3D printers is also essential, determining the precision, efficiency, and scope of applications, with two important development trends:
Firstly, upsizing. The limitation in print size has always been a weakness of 3D printing equipment.
Increasing the mechanical structure size of 3D printers, while maintaining precision, can enhance the overall manufacturing capacity, avoid model segmentation for improved printing efficiency, and significantly expand the application field. An analysis of the product lines of major companies in recent years reveals a trend towards larger manufacturing sizes.
Further investigation shows that the maximum print size of various types of 3D printers from these companies is restricted to within 1 meter. Some companies in China are attempting to develop large-scale printers and have already seen favorable market responses.
Secondly, integration with traditional manufacturing methods. This includes the effective and in-depth integration with traditional methods such as molding, casting, forging, and electrochemical precision machining.
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s “Key Special Projects on Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing” in 2018 included such research projects, aiming to promote the empowering development of 3D printing in the traditional manufacturing industry and to expand the applications of 3D printing itself.
Firstly, the emergence of “distributed manufacturing” models. As 3D printing becomes more cost-effective and technologically accessible, it is trending towards widespread adoption, with the potential for every household to own and use a 3D printer, making it a tool and platform for social innovation, crowdfunding, and crowdsourcing. This is leading to a new form of social behavior and the advent of “distributed manufacturing.”
In essence, distributed manufacturing reimagines the entire production process, profoundly altering the supply and demand chain, including consumer patterns.
Secondly, a “function-first” design philosophy is emerging. Traditional manufacturing, constrained by the complexity of parts, required designers to consider feasibility and cost. However, 3D printing design can disregard product complexity and focus solely on the required functions, leading to the creation of industrial products previously unimaginable.
As these accumulate, they will revolutionize manufacturing, particularly for complex and precise components in industries like aerospace, shipbuilding, and automotive.
The “function-first” design philosophy for 3D printing expands creative and innovative possibilities for product designers, unbound by traditional processes and manufacturing resources, and pursues limitless creation under the paradigm that “design equals production” and “design equals product.”
Therefore, optimal structural designs can be employed without concern for machining issues, solving manufacturing challenges for high-end, complex, precision components. Due to the high integration of digital design, manufacturing, and analysis in 3D printing, this philosophy also significantly shortens the new product development cycle and reduces R&D costs, enabling “design today, product tomorrow.”
Thirdly, “micro and nano manufacturing” is greatly promoted. As 3D printing applications extend from macro to micro and nano manufacturing, this form of manufacturing will play a significant role. Currently, microelectronic processes used for making sensors require the production of molds and wafer processing, which means an investment of billions, if not tens of billions, of dollars for a production line.
For customized sensors with only a few hundred units needed, such a massive upfront investment makes small-scale production infeasible. 3D printing can fully meet the demands of such micro and nano manufacturing. Researchers at Western University in Canada have developed an implantable device that monitors patients’ heart conditions, made using 3D printing technology.
This wireless implantable system integrates a blood pressure sensor and a cardiovascular pressure monitor (including a stent), with a volume of just 2.475 cm³ and weighing slightly over 4 grams.
In the future, 3D printing will evolve into 4D and 5D printing. Building on 3D printing, these methods consider changes over time, allowing models to gradually alter shape and function, leading to what is known as 4D and 5D printing.
Firstly, 4D printing allows printed models to change shape over time. Typically, the model may be flat when printed but will gradually deform under the influence of temperature, magnetic fields, and other environmental factors. The advantages include simplifying the 3D printing process and easily integrating the printed models into devices.
Secondly, 5D printing enables models to change both function and shape over time after being printed. Experiments with 5D printed bones have already been successful in animals. If this technology matures and becomes widespread, its societal impact will be far greater than that of intelligent manufacturing, 3D printing, or 4D printing.
It is evident that 3D printing holds greater potential for applications that are fully personalized or produced in small batches.
First, the field of biomedicine is a prime example of personalized applications. In 2016, the Guidance on Promoting the Healthy Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry issued by the General Office of the State Council highlighted the need to promote the application of bioprinting technologies and data chips in implantable products.
The “13th Five-Year Plan” for National Strategic Emerging Industries Development released by the State Council underscored the use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) and other new technologies to accelerate innovation and industrialization in tissue and organ repair, as well as in implantable medical devices.
On February 9, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a draft of the Medical Equipment Industry Development Plan (2021-2025), which encourages the development of new “3D Printing + Medical Health” products. It advocates for the advancement of personalized customization in medical devices, rehabilitation equipment, implants, and soft tissue repair and emphasizes the application of 3D printing technology in various sectors.
The plan also calls for the application of advanced materials and 3D printing technologies to enhance the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of products such as vascular stents, orthopedic implants, and dental implants.
It supports cross-sector collaboration, integrating traditional medical equipment with new technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial internet, cloud computing, and 3D printing to foster the development of original smart medical equipment and promote smart medical and health cloud services.
This shows that from a national policy perspective, “3D Printing + Medical” is a hot research topic in recent years, receiving significant attention and support, and demonstrating immense developmental potential. It also reflects China’s commitment to the health and well-being of its people.
Second, aerospace represents small-batch production. Aerospace components are typically produced in smaller quantities than commercial products, and they tend to have complex structures made of high-strength, hard-to-process, and costly alloys.
Clearly, 3D printing is poised to have a considerable impact on this sector. Both domestically and internationally, there are high expectations for 3D printing in these two fields, as clearly demonstrated in the “Key Special Projects on Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing” research plan implemented during the “13th Five-Year Plan” period.
Clearly, based on the basic principles of additive manufacturing, foundational theoretical research continues to drive the development of 3D printing technology. The following five scientific areas are gradually garnering widespread attention from scholars both domestically and internationally.
First is the study of strong non-equilibrium solidification in metal forming. The interaction time between the material and the energy source is extremely short during the 3D printing process, leading to instantaneous melting-solidification cycles.
For metal materials, such non-equilibrium solidification mechanisms cannot be fully explained by traditional equilibrium solidification theories, hence establishing a metal solidification theory under strong non-equilibrium conditions is an important scientific issue to be addressed in the field of 3D printing.
Second is the development of new mechanisms for 3D printing under extreme conditions. As humanity’s urgent need to explore outer space continues to grow, 3D printing technology is increasingly applied in the field of space exploration.
There is even a desire to achieve in-situ 3D printing in outer space, making the study of 3D printing mechanisms under such extreme conditions and the lifespan and failure mechanisms of the components in these service environments especially important.
Third is the mechanism of 3D printing of gradient materials and structures. 3D printing is a manufacturing technology that integrates structure and function, allowing for continuous gradient changes in material composition and the combination of multiple structures within the same component. Realizing such designs poses challenges to material mechanics and structural mechanics.
Fourth, personalized 3D printing of tissues and organs and the principles of functional regeneration. Whether it’s maintaining the vitality of living entities during the manufacturing process or studying the mechanisms for recreating organ functions during their use, this research is still in its infancy and requires the collective efforts of experts and scholars across multiple disciplines and fields.
Fifth, the control mechanisms of integrated form and property 3D printing. 3D printing is transitioning from shape-controlled manufacturing to integrated shape and property-controlled manufacturing. For instance, in printing metal parts, not only can the shape of the parts be printed, but the complex internal structures can be controlled with high precision and strength, approaching or exceeding that of forged parts.
In the future, printing blades for aircraft engines could lead to the formation of columnar crystals, which are stacked in a predetermined direction by designers, ultimately resulting in a final product with superior overall performance compared to forging.
In summary, the future role of 3D printing is set to undergo significant changes, evolving from a supplementary form in manufacturing to a backbone of smart manufacturing. It will redefine manufacturing processes, prompting professionals to re-evaluate existing practices in the field with a 3D printing mindset.
Although the volume of parts produced by 3D printing may not match that of mold manufacturing and CNC machining, the value it creates could far surpass these traditional methods. Therefore, the trend and application prospects for 3D printing are very promising.
As the founder of MachineMFG, I have dedicated over a decade of my career to the metalworking industry. My extensive experience has allowed me to become an expert in the fields of sheet metal fabrication, machining, mechanical engineering, and machine tools for metals. I am constantly thinking, reading, and writing about these subjects, constantly striving to stay at the forefront of my field. Let my knowledge and expertise be an asset to your business.
EN 
AR 
DE 
ES 
FR 
IT 
JA 
NL 
PT 
PT_BR 
RU 
KO