3D printing (additive manufacturing) has evolved from a “rapid prototyping” tool in the 1980s to a “direct manufacturing” technology, reshaping design, supply chains, and product forms.The mainstream 3D printing technology roadmap (based on curing/forming mechanisms)1. Photopolymerization (Vat Photopolymerization) • SLA (Laser Spot Scanning): Highest precision (±25 µm), suitable for microstructures, dental, and jewelry wax molds. • MSLA/DLP (Masked Stereolithography/Digital Light Processing): Uses LCD/LED arrays to expose an entire layer at once, printing speed is 5-10 times faster than SLA, costs reduced to desktop level; downside is pixelation, requires post-polishing. • New materials: High elasticity (Shore 30A-90A), castable resin (burnout rate <0.1%), ceramic slurries (zirconia, silicon nitride).
2. Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) • SLS (Nylon 12/11, TPU): No support needed, can create complex lattices; however, the surface has an “orange peel” texture. • SLM/EBM (Metal): Titanium alloys, AlSi10Mg, Inconel 718; EBM has low residual stress, suitable for aerospace blades. • Binder Jetting (BJ): Metal X, sand casting; low cost but requires debinding + sintering, density 95-98%.3. Material Extrusion (Fused Deposition Modeling) • Richest open-source ecosystem: PLA, PETG, ABS, PC, PEEK, CF-Nylon. • New technologies: High-speed CoreXY (>500 mm/s), controlled chamber (180 ℃), pellet extrusion (using pellets instead of filaments, reducing costs by 70%). • Multi-material: IDEX/tool head switching → soft-hard combinations, circuit co-printing (conductive TPU/silver paste).4. Directed Energy Deposition (DED) • Laser powder/wire feeding: Repairing turbine blades, large aerospace frame beams; can achieve in-situ alloying (Ti-6Al-4V + Nb gradient). • Cold Spray: Room temperature deposition of metals, used for copper/aluminum heat dissipation parts, density >99%.5. Emerging Processes • Computed Axial Lithography (CAL): Like “CT back-projection” for whole-bucket photopolymerization, no layer lines, Eiffel Tower 3 cm model completed in 30 seconds. • Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (VAM): Laser cross-modulation, curing the entire volume at once, MIT has printed a 0.3 mm vascular network. • Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP): Light + oxygen inhibit curing, speed is 100 times faster than SLA, Carbon has been used in Adidas 4D midsoles.
Leading 3D printing companies in ChinaBLT (Plt) Xian Leader in metal 3D printing on the Science and Technology Innovation Board; SLM/EBM equipment + printing services + powder materials full industry chain; 2024 revenue ≈ 1.5 billion yuan, cumulative installation of metal printers >1000 units Huazhu High-Tech Changsha Full series of industrial-grade SLS, SLM, MJF; has complete independent intellectual property software; effective patents 430+, leads/participates in 20 national standards LianTai Technology Shanghai First in China for industrial SLA shipments; largest polymer printing service network globally; cumulative global sales of SLA equipment >20,000 units, annual printed parts >2 million units Yijia 3D Beijing/Hangzhou MPBF metal SLM, PPBF polymer SLS; exports to over 40 countries in Europe, America, and Japan; annual R&D investment >10 million yuan, export revenue accounts for >30% Qingyan Zhishu Beijing First electronic beam metal 3D printer (EBSM) in China; batch installations in aerospace; authorized patents >30, participated in national major projects Hengpu Laser Ningbo Large parts, special ceramic 3D printing; mining/tunnel tool solutions; ceramic 3D printing market share >60%, over 30 types of engineering tools Xihe Additive Shenzhen Green laser copper and precious metal SLM; first to create M160G/M350G series; 2024 green laser metal machine market share first in China Chaoling Intelligent Hangzhou Large-scale FDM with pellet materials + robot-assisted printing; aerospace composite molds; over 20 patents in two years, maximum forming size >4 m Mofang Precision Chongqing 2 μm ultra-high precision photopolymerization nanoArch; micro-nano electronics, medical devices; global micro-nano 3D printing market share >50%, exports to over 150 countries Shuzhi Cube Yiwu AI sugar painting/portrait 3D printing consumer-grade hit; implemented in over 10 cities nationwide; 2024 single sugar painting machine daily sales >200 units, innovative C-end model 
Industry Implementation and Future Trends1. Scale • “Printing farms”: thousands of MSLA/DLP devices operating in parallel, industrialized shoe midsoles, dental applications. • Continuous production: HP Metal Jet, Desktop Metal P-50, annual production capacity of hundreds of thousands of parts.2. Material Datafication • Material gene program: AI + high-throughput testing (1000 alloys/week), discovering new high-entropy alloy printing windows. • Digital material passport: real-time on-chain particle size distribution, oxygen content for each batch of powder, aerospace compliance.3. Green Recycling • Recyclable resins: Carbon EPX 86FR can be depolymerized and recycled more than 5 times. • Metal closed-loop: SLM supports + powder dust → plasma atomization for remanufacturing, utilization rate from 60% to >90%.4. Bioprinting • Vascularization: Extrusion + photopolymerization dual nozzles achieve 100 µm vascular networks within 1 cm thick tissues. • Clinical trials: 3D printed titanium mandibles, PEEK cranial plates have received FDA approval; heart valves are in animal testing.5. 4D Printing • Shape memory polymers (SMP): Set temporary shapes during printing, revert to “memory” shapes upon heating, applicable for deployable antennas. • Liquid crystal elastomers (LCE): Printed with orientation, shrinkage >40% upon heating, used by MIT for motorless soft robots.
3D printing is transitioning from “manufacturing shapes” to “programming materials”—controlling microstructures, multi-material combinations, and cross-scale gradients through algorithms, compressing “design-material-process” into a computable digital loop. I. Plastic and Polymer MaterialsMaterial Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios PLA FDM Eco-friendly, easy to print, low shrinkage Education, models, household items ABS FDM High strength, impact-resistant, heat-resistant up to 90℃ Tool housings, automotive parts, consumer electronics PETG FDM Transparent, chemical resistant Food containers, medical devices TPU FDM/SLS High elasticity, tear-resistant Insoles, shock-absorbing pads, wearable devices PA (Nylon) SLS High strength, wear-resistant, flexible Gears, industrial fixtures, engine peripheral parts PC FDM High impact strength, transparent, heat-resistant up to 120℃ Protective face shields, lamp housings, electronic enclosures II. Photopolymer ResinsType Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios Standard Resin SLA/DLP/LCD High precision, fine surface Jewelry prototypes, figurines, miniature models Tough Resin SLA/DLP Impact-resistant, functional testing Clips, mechanical housings High-Temperature Resin SLA/DLP Heat-resistant 100-200℃ Engine test parts, electronic housings Biocompatible Resin SLA/DLP Medical-grade certification Dental guides, surgical models Castable Resin SLA/DLP No residue after burnout Jewelry casting wax molds III. Metal MaterialsMaterial Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios Stainless Steel SLM/EBM/DED Corrosion-resistant, high strength Tools, mechanical parts, sculptures Titanium Alloy (Ti6Al4V) SLM/EBM Biocompatible, lightweight and high strength Orthopedic implants, aerospace parts Aluminum Alloy (AlSi10Mg) SLM Lightweight, good thermal conductivity Automotive, aerospace structural components Cobalt-Chromium Alloy SLM Wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant Dental frameworks, turbine blades High-Temperature Alloy (Inconel) SLM/EBM High-temperature resistant, oxidation-resistant Rocket nozzles, gas turbines IV. Ceramic Materials
Material Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios Zirconia (ZrO₂) Binder Jetting / SLA High strength, biocompatible Dental crowns, artificial joints Alumina (Al₂O₃) SLS/SLA High-temperature resistant, insulating Electronic packaging, high-temperature furnaces Hydroxyapatite SLA Fuses with bone tissue Bone scaffolds, bone defect repair V. Composite and Functional MaterialsMaterial Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA FDM High strength, lightweight Drone frames, sports equipment Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon SLS High rigidity, insulating Radar covers, tooling fixtures Metal-Filled PLA FDM Polishable, metallic feel Decorative items, display models Conductive Materials (Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene) FDM Printable circuits Sensors, smart wearables Food-Grade PLA FDM Safe and non-toxic Chocolate molds, custom tableware VI. Bioprinting MaterialsMaterial Technology Characteristics Application Scenarios GelMA (Methacrylated Gelatin) Extrusion Bioprinting Cross-linkable, cell-compatible Soft tissues, skin patches Hydroxyapatite/Collagen Composite Extrusion/Photopolymerization Bone-inducing Bone scaffolds, dental implants Stem Cell Matrix Ink Micro-extrusion Biodegradable, bioactive Liver tissues, vascular networks VII. Future Trend MaterialsMaterial Technology Characteristics Potential Applications Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) SLM Shape-recoverable Medical devices, deployable structures Thermoelectric Materials (Bi₂Te₃) Extrusion/Inkjet Thermoelectric generation, cooling Wearable cooling plates, electronic heat dissipation 4D Printing Hydrogels SLA/Extrusion Temperature and humidity responsive deformation Soft robots, drug release 
Material Selection Recommendation SummaryDemand Recommended Material Technology Rapid Prototyping PLA, ABS FDM High-Strength Structures Carbon Fiber PA, Titanium Alloy SLS/SLM Medical Implants Titanium Alloy, Zirconia, Medical Resins SLM/SLA Precision Models Photopolymer Resins SLA/DLP Elastic Functional Parts TPU, TPE FDM/SLS High-Temperature Parts PC, Inconel, Ceramics FDM/SLM/SLS 1. Manufacturing: Complex Structures and Rapid IterationApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results Aerospace Titanium Alloy SLM, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Resins C919 cockpit window frame, satellite antenna support Automotive Manufacturing Aluminum Alloy DED, PC/ABS Engine parts, dashboards, custom clips Industrial Molds Stainless Steel, Tool Steel Conformal cooling molds, injection cycle shortened by 30% 2. Healthcare: Personalization and BioprintingApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results Orthopedic Implants Ti6Al4V SLM, Hydroxyapatite Customized cranial repair implants, completed in 5 hours Dental Restoration Photopolymer Resins, Zirconia Crowns, guides, invisible orthodontic models Bioprinting GelMA, Cell Inks Liver tissues, vascular scaffold experiments 3. Architecture and Art Design: From Models to Physical ConstructionApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results Architectural Models PLA, Concrete 1:1 printed bridges, landscape components Cultural Creativity Photopolymer Resins, Metals Jewelry, sculptures, restoration of cultural relics Fashion Design TPU, PA12 Iris van Herpen 3D printed haute couture dresses 4. Education and Research: Teaching and Prototype ValidationApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results University Teaching PLA, ABS Mechanical structures, material experiment courses Research Prototypes Carbon Fiber PA, Ceramics Photonic crystals, sensors rapid iteration 5. Consumer Products and Trendy Toys: Small Batch CustomizationApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results Trendy Toys Photopolymer Resins, PLA “Fatty” IP rapid prototype validation Personalized Accessories Silver Powder Resins, Wax Molds Castable jewelry, integrated design-printing-casting 6. Semiconductors and High-Tech DevicesApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results High-Frequency Devices Silicon Nitride Ceramics Satellite antennas, thermal management components Microstructure Chips Nano-level Photopolymerization Photonic crystals, MEMS prototypes 7. Food and Daily NecessitiesApplication Scenarios Technology/Materials Results Food Printing Chocolate, Dough 3D printed mooncakes, custom candies Household Items PETG, TPU Lamps, insoles, phone cases 
Summary of Development TrendsEmergence of online 3D printing platforms: For example, Raise3D collaborates with hospitals to achieve integrated “design-print-delivery” for prosthetics, reducing the cycle from weeks to days.Expansion of material boundaries: From plastics and metals to ceramics, food, and bio-inks, covering extreme environments and life systems.Deep integration of industries: 3D printing is becoming a core part of “digital twins” and “smart manufacturing”, promoting “digital-physical integration”.
