Research Status and Key Technologies of 3D Printing

After introducing the principle and classification of 3D printing, methods for metal forming using 3D printing were reviewed in details, including electron beam melting(EBM), selective laser melting(SLM), laser direct melting deposition(LDMD). The application fields of metal 3D printing and research status overseas and domestic were also discussed in this paper. At last, based on the current development of metal 3D printing, this paper summarized the key issues that should be solved, which include the quality of powders, the usage of 3D printing equipments, nondestructive testing for 3D printing components, the failure analysis and prediction of lifecycles for 3D printing components. The standards of nondestructive testing for 3D printing components should be established and the database of comprehensive mechanical properties for 3D printing materials should be built.