Development of Additive Manufacturing Technology and Industry in China

Abstract

As an emerging manufacturing technology, additive manufacturing (AM) has become one of the fastest developing technologies in the advanced manufacturing field with the continuous expansion of its applications. The development of AM industry provides a valuable opportunity for the development of modern manufacturing and the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing. In this paper, developmental trends of the AM technology and industry in China and abroad are systematically summarized, and problems faced by China’s AM industry are analyzed, including inadequate research and development capabilities regarding common technologies and basic devices, lack of effective patent layout for the international market, and insufficient development of industrial scale and clusters. Focusing on a prospective layout of the AM industry, key development directions are proposed, including AM for biomedicine and medical devices, large-scale complex components, space, structural innovation, and new materials. Furthermore, several suggestions are put forward. First, an AM collaborative innovation mechanism should be established to support application innovation of enterprises. Second, special research plans on AM process reforms should be implemented to satisfy the demand for major high-end equipment. Third, the construction of regional AM industrial clusters should be promoted.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing, 3D printing, advanced manufacturing, high-end manufacturing equipment industry, complex components, structural innovation