sector, SLM technology is used to manufacture
complex components such as aircraft engine blades
and fuel nozzles. The aircraft landing gear
components manufactured by Airbus using SLM
technology effectively reduce weight and improve
fuel efficiency. EBM technology has made progress
in the biomedical field, such as in the production of
artificial joints and dental implants, with parts
exhibiting good biocompatibility and mechanical
properties. DMLS technology is widely applied in the
automotive manufacturing industry for producing
engine blocks, transmission components, etc.,
enabling lightweight design and performance
optimization of complex structures (Liu, 2023, Yao,
2022).
2.3 Material Extrusion Technology
Material extrusion technology is a technique that
extrudes filamentous thermoplastic materials (such as
PLA, ABS, nylon, etc.) through a heated nozzle and
builds up layers according to a predetermined path. It
is mainly divided into FDM and FFF.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is one of the
earliest material extrusion technologies. In 1988, the
founder of Stratasys proposed the concept of FDM
technology, patented it in 1989, and commercialized
it in 2000, promoting its widespread application. The
principle of FDM technology is to heat filamentous
material to a molten state and then extrude and
solidify it layer by layer along a preset path. The
production process has advantages such as low
equipment costs, ease of operation, a wide variety of
materials, and no need for complex support structures,
but the product precision and surface quality are
relatively low, the forming speed is slow, and there
may be issues such as warping and deformation in
printing large, complex structures.
FFF (Freeform Fabrication) technology is similar
to FDM but emphasizes its open-source and low-cost
characteristics. Open-source projects like RepRap
have played an important role in promoting the
development of this technology.
As the AM technology that most closely aligns
with people’s impression of the concept of "3D
printing," material extrusion technology is favored by
universities and research institutions. Students and
teachers can use it to quickly create models and
prototypes, assisting in teaching and research. In
maker spaces and small studios, this technology is
also popular, being used for the design and production
of creative products. In recent years, with continuous
advancements in materials and equipment, the
application of FDM/FFF technology in the industrial
sector has gradually increased. For example, in the
rapid manufacturing of automotive components,
some car manufacturers utilize this technology to
produce non-critical parts such as interior
components and fixtures, shortening the product
development cycle and costs. In the field of
personalized custom products, such as customized
headphone shells and phone cases, this technology
can quickly manufacture unique DIY products based
on specific user needs (Li, Zhang and Wang et
al,2023, Ge,2024).
2.4 Binder Jetting Technology
In 1993, Professors Emanuel Sachs and Michael
Cima from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) applied for a patent for binder jetting
technology. The principle involves the layer-by-layer
bonding of powder materials (such as metal powder,
ceramic powder, sand, etc.) through the injection of a
binder. During the printing process, a layer of powder
material is first spread, and then the nozzle sprays the
binder along a predetermined path, bonding the
powder together to form a cross-section of the part.
This process is repeated layer by layer until the part
is fully formed. This technology can achieve
relatively large forming sizes and has a faster forming
speed, allowing for a certain degree of parallel
manufacturing. The raw materials for this technology
can include various powder materials, such as metals,
ceramics, and sand, providing great flexibility in
material selection. However, due to the limited
bonding strength of the binder, the parts produced
usually require post-processing, such as sintering or
infiltration, to enhance their strength and density,
making the process quite cumbersome. Additionally,
compared to other technologies like extrusion
molding, this technology tends to produce a looser
structure, which can lead to low-density issues when
directly producing metal or ceramic material products.
ExOne Company plays a crucial role in the
commercialization of this technology. The company
has successively launched various models of 3D
printing systems, such as the S-Print. Compared to the
very expensive conventional metal 3D printers,
ExOne’s binder jetting technology printing
equipment is much more affordable.
The binder jetting technology is currently widely
used in the construction field for manufacturing large
building components, such as walls and decorative
parts. At the same time, in the industrial metal
manufacturing sector, this technology is used to
produce products with complex shapes, such as
automotive engine parts and aerospace components.