The Development History Of 3D Printing Technology

3D printing, also known as three-dimensional printing, is a kind of rapid prototyping technology. Unlike the 2D printing that we are exposed to daily, 2D printing can only realize the drawing of graphics and colors in the plane, and 3D printing can realize the direct formation of three-dimensional objects. It is a technology that builds objects based on digital model files and uses bondable materials such as powdered metal or plastic to print layer by layer.

3D printing technology appeared in the mid-1990s, and is actually the latest rapid prototyping device using technologies such as light curing and paper lamination. It is basically the same as ordinary printing. The printer contains liquid or powder and other "printing materials". After connecting to the computer, the "printing materials" are superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally, the blueprint on the computer is turned into a real object.

The following is an introduction to the important nodes in the development process of 3D printing technology:

Ø In 1986, American scientist Charles Hull developed the first commercial 3D printing machine.

Ø In 1993, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was granted a patent for 3D printing technology.

Ø In 1995, the American ZCorp company obtained sole authorization from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and began to develop 3D printers.

Ø In 2005, the first high-definition color 3D printer Spectrum Z510 on the market was successfully developed by ZCorp.

Ø In November 2010, the American Jim Kor team created the world's first car Urbee printed by a 3D printer.

Ø On June 6, 2011, the world's first 3D printed bikini was released.

Ø In July 2011, British researchers developed the world's first 3D chocolate printer.

Ø In August 2011, engineers at the University of Southampton developed the world's first 3D-printed aircraft.

Ø In November 2012, Scottish scientists used human cells to print artificial liver tissue using a 3D printer for the first time.

Ø In October 2013, the world's first successful auction of a 3D printed artwork named "ONO God".

Ø In November 2013, SolidConcepts, a 3D printing company based in Austin, Texas, designed and manufactured a 3D printed metal pistol.

Ø On October 11, 2014, a team of British enthusiasts used 3D printing technology to make a rocket. They are also preparing to launch the world's first printed rocket into the sky.

Ø It was reported on June 22, 2015, that the state-owned Russian technology group company used 3D printing technology to produce a drone prototype weighing 3.8 kg, a wingspan of 2.4 meters, a flying speed of 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, and a range of 1 to 1.5 hours.

Ø On the morning of July 17, 2015, the first 3D printed building appeared in Xi'an, and a two-story villa was built in 3 hours.

The emergence of 3D printing technology has overturned the processing methods of the traditional removal method and is widely used in the direct manufacturing of manufacturing models or products in the fields of mold manufacturing and industrial design. With the continuous development of 3D printing technology, it has been used in jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, guns and other All fields have applications. In the future, what else can 3D printing technology be used for? Only waiting time will tell us about this problem.