Analysis of the global pattern of the latest 3D printing technology and additive manufacturing materials

Additive manufacturing, commonly known as "3D printing", began with rapid prototyping technology and has broad prospects in the fields of aviation, aerospace, navigation, weapons, medical, automotive, industrial, etc., and is known as the core technology of the "third industrial revolution."

In recent years, the development of additive manufacturing has been very rapid. The United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and other governments have increased their strategic support to policy support. Additive manufacturing involves multidisciplinary knowledge and the industry chain covers a wide range. At present, additive manufacturing equipment is the traction of its development, and materials are an important factor restricting its development.

Additive manufacturing technology and equipment

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards group divides additive manufacturing technologies into seven categories, and the United States Additive Manufacturing Special Interest Group (AM SIG) further divides it into more than ten branch processes.

Classification of Additive Manufacturing Technology by American ASTM Standards Organization

Global pattern: Europe and the United States leading, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand actively research and development

For a long time, countries such as Europe and the United States have been leading the research and development of global additive manufacturing technology and equipment. Europe and the United States are in a leading position in the world in terms of original innovation, market competitiveness and industrial applications. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia are also actively promoting research and development of additive manufacturing technologies and equipment, but have not yet formed a certain scale.

Foreign pattern: European and American governments support

The US government has attached great importance and strong support to the development of additive manufacturing technology. In August 2012, the National Institute of Additive Manufacturing Innovation (renamed in the United States in October 2013) was formally established, leading the development of additive manufacturing technology in the United States and even the world. The EU has funded the additive manufacturing project from the “First R&D Framework Program” and listed the additive manufacturing technology as one of the key practical technologies in the Horizon 2020 Plan. Countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have successively developed roadmaps for additive manufacturing and related standards to promote the development of domestic additive manufacturing technologies. At present, according to the National New Materials Industry Development Strategy Advisory Committee, Europe and the United States have a large number of technologically advanced enterprises in the field of additive manufacturing technology and equipment.

Domestic pattern: focus on developing a number of advantageous enterprises

At present, the advanced manufacturing technology represented by additive manufacturing is developing rapidly, and it has become a new direction for more and more enterprises to achieve industrial upgrading and technological transformation. China also attaches great importance to the development of additive manufacturing technology and industry. The development plans such as “Made in China 2025”, “13th Five-Year National Science and Technology Innovation Plan” and “Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering Implementation Guide (2016-2020)” have all added manufacturing materials. Equipment and industry are listed as one of the important development directions, and we hope to promote the sustained and rapid development of this field. At present, China has a number of technologically advanced enterprises in the field of additive manufacturing technology and equipment.

After Xi'an Platinum successfully used the additive manufacturing technology to successfully assist the key components of the domestically produced large aircraft C919, in August 2017, Platinum and China Aerospace Shanghai Commercial Aviation Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. reached a strategic cooperation agreement, which will promote China's civil aviation. The development of the engine industry will further expand the application of additive manufacturing technology.

Additive manufacturing materials

Materials are the material basis and fundamental guarantee for additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing materials can be generally divided into solid powder, solid sheet, solid wire and liquid materials according to different forms; metal materials, polymer materials, inorganic non-metal materials (ceramics, glass) and organisms can be classified according to different types of materials. Materials, etc.

Global pattern: the frontiers of European and American development, Asian countries follow

The current development front of additive manufacturing materials is still mainly concentrated in Europe and the United States. With the rapid development of additive manufacturing technology, the material system is becoming more and more abundant, and the product performance is continuously optimized. It is gradually developed in the fields of aviation, aerospace, biomedical, automotive and industrial. Get promoted and scaled industrial applications. China, Japan, India and other countries are also actively deploying in the field of additive manufacturing materials, and are in the stage of running. China's additive manufacturing research started only 3 to 5 years later than Europe and the United States, and has developed very rapidly in recent years. However, as the necessary material basis and guarantee for the development of materials, its industrialization is still in its infancy in China, and there is a certain gap between the material performance and the soundness of the product system compared with the advanced countries.

Foreign pattern: industry giants are laid out at the fastest speed

Europe and the United States lead the development of the entire industry chain of additive manufacturing, and are in a leading position in the development, industrialization and application of additive manufacturing materials. Particularly noteworthy is that a large number of industry giants in Europe and the United States are currently deploying their additive manufacturing at the fastest pace ever, and are actively advancing through independent research and development, joint research and development, mergers and acquisitions, and industry alliances.

Domestic pattern: China's industry is developing very rapidly

In recent years, China's additive manufacturing materials industry has developed very rapidly, and the dominant enterprises are mainly concentrated in Beijing, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Hunan, Guangdong and other regions. Most of these companies develop material systems around their own additive manufacturing equipment and application fields. The initial research and development work relies on domestically strong universities, research institutes and industry leaders, and gradually strengthens independent research and development and industry strategic cooperation. It is in the leading position in the country in terms of material research and development strength and industrialization.

Development trends and recommendations

At present, the entire industrial chain of China's additive manufacturing has failed to achieve effective coordinated development. Although some cooperation mechanisms have been established between universities, research institutes and enterprises, the overall cohesion is not strong. The analysts of the National New Materials Industry Development Strategy Advisory Committee suggested that the entire additive manufacturing industry needs to develop a group, integrate superior resources, jointly develop the market, avoid single-handedness, and need a platform to serve members, and also need the guidance of industry organizations.

Additive manufacturing materials need to closely cooperate with the development of the whole industry to form a raw material system suitable for the continuous development of equipment and process software. It is necessary to develop high performance, diversified product types, mature technology and low cost, and establish corresponding materials. The supply system enables large-scale industrial applications in the fields of aerospace, biomedical, transportation and industry. Among them, aerospace as an important area of ​​national defense security and national economy is a powerful driving force for the development of additive manufacturing technology and materials. In addition, in the future advancement of additive manufacturing materials, it is also necessary to pay attention to the impact of materials on human health, ecological security and social security, and develop material standardization and safety standardization technologies to achieve sustainable development.

It is suggested that China should plan its own resources and characteristics, grasp the opportunity of development, and promote the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing.