When it comes to 3D printing, I believe everyone is already familiar with it. After more than a decade of development, it is no longer the old desktop-style equipment it once was. In the past few years, driven by advances in computing power, the use of new software, new materials, innovation, and internet progress, 3D printing technology has developed rapidly.

So compared to previous additive manufacturing processes, what developments has 3D printing undergone?

1. Equipment diversity, process diversity

Compared to the previous FDM process and photopolymerization process, 3D printing has gradually evolved toward processes such as SLS, MJF, SAF, SLM, and DLP. The types of equipment have also changed accordingly with the different processes. I believe that in the near future, more new equipment and new processes will appear in our field of vision.

2. More materials, wider applications

The development of 3D printing is not just about equipment diversity, but more about the development of supporting materials. According to statistics, at the current stage of 3D printing, there are more than 30 types of materials used in photopolymerization equipment, nearly 10 types of nylon materials, nearly 10 types of metal materials, and about 30 types of various engineering plastics. Moreover, there have been new improvements in material performance. Taking photopolymerization materials as an example, they can not only be used in high-temperature applications up to 260°C, but also meet the low-temperature investment casting requirements for precision casting. This basically satisfies people's various needs in daily life, such as model molds, prototype samples, metal parts, and exhibitions.

3. Diverse sizes, capable of both large and small

The development of 3D printing is not just about equipment updates, but more about the hardware updates and upgrades on the equipment. At present, after the equipment updates and upgrades at Youlian Intelligent Manufacturing, the largest one-piece molded model can reach a specification of 2100*800*700; the smallest molding size is 0.025mm, the surface roughness can reach Ra1, and the highest precision for metal is 0.03-0.03mm, etc. Sizes that machining can achieve, 3D printing can complete; shapes and specifications that machining cannot handle, 3D printing can also easily satisfy.

4. Software upgrades

Compared to before, the application fields of 3D printing have gradually expanded from the traditional prototype model field to all industries. This is not only closely related to the hardware upgrades of 3D printing, but also to software applications and market development. Currently, compatible software applications on the market support more than dozens of formats. Furthermore, online 3D printing platforms have appeared in our field of vision, offering not only file viewing, but also online model repair, online quoting, and other functions, giving users a clear understanding of product prices.

After more than a decade of development, domestic 3D printing has begun to see new growth, rather than gradually fading from view as some might say. I believe that in the near future, with the continuous efforts and innovation of 3D printing professionals, 3D printing will bring more new materials, new processes, and new breakthroughs into every aspect of people's lives.