3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing technology, is defined by the national standard of the People's Republic of China "Terminology for Additive Manufacturing" (GB/T35351-2017) as a process of manufacturing parts or objects based on three-dimensional model data through material accumulation.

Compared to the traditional manufacturing of 'subtractive manufacturing technology', 3D printing's 'additive manufacturing technology' features low cost and short production cycles, allowing products to be generated directly from computer drawings without any molds. It can quickly complete production in small batches and customized forms, and can print shapes that traditional manufacturing techniques cannot produce.

With the widespread application of 3D printing technology, its importance in various industries is increasingly prominent. To ensure the healthy development of this technology, it is crucial to establish industry standards and guarantee safety and quality.

Since 2012, multiple departments including the State Council, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Ministry of Science and Technology have successively issued policies to support and regulate the development of the 3D printing industry, covering aspects such as industrialization, development goals, application scope, technological innovation, and standard specifications.

The lack of standards has always been a major issue in the engineering application and industrial development of additive manufacturing. With the continuous release of 3D printing standards, the industry will have systematic, full-process, and standardized standards to ensure product quality, enhance economic benefits in application fields, and lead and regulate the sustainable and healthy development of the industry.

Looking back at key milestones in China's additive manufacturing standardization work: In 2014, China became a P-member country of the International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC 261; in 2016, the National Additive Manufacturing Standardization Technical Committee (SAC/TC562) was established; in 2018, the first international standard led by China was officially initiated; in 2019, the Testing Methods Sub-Technical Committee (SAC/TC 562/SC1) was established; in 2020, the "Additive Manufacturing Standard Navigation Action Plan (2020-2022)" was released; in 2020, multiple national-level TCs in related fields formed a collaborative development situation.

According to queries on the National Standard Information Public Service Platform, there are 118 standards related to 'additive'. The current national standard is "GB/T 39329-2020 Additive Manufacturing Testing Methods Standard Test Piece Accuracy Inspection", published in June 2021. Additionally, there is a standard titled "20232057-T-604 Additive Manufacturing Standard Test Piece Geometric Forming Capability Assessment" currently under review.

The formulation and development of China's 3D printing industry standards

In recent years, China has made significant progress in the field of 3D printing technology and has included industry standards for this technology into key areas of national enterprise standards 'leaders'. This initiative aims to enhance the overall level of China's 3D printing technology by establishing unified and standardized standards to promote healthy and orderly industrial development.

In formulating industry standards, China mainly focuses on several aspects:

First is material standards: primarily determining the basic properties of printing materials including melting point, shrinkage rate, mechanical properties, etc., to ensure material quality and safety.

Second is equipment standards: mainly determining the basic performance of equipment including resolution, speed, precision, and reliability to ensure equipment stability and reliability.

Third is technical standards: mainly formulating technical processes for 3D printing technology to unify the technical development direction of the industry and improve the repeatability and verifiability of technology.

Fourth is application standards: mainly determining specific applications of 3D printing technology in certain fields such as medical care, aerospace, automotive industries, etc., to ensure the effectiveness and practicality of technology.

By establishing these standards, China has not only improved the overall level of 3D printing technology but also promoted the development and progress of related industries. At the same time, these standards facilitate international cooperation and exchange, promoting global development in 3D printing technology.

In addition, regarding common standards formulation, the global 3D printing industry has also clarified standard requirements from technical aspects, quality control, and environmental protection.

By establishing these common standards, the global 3D printing industry can better promote technological innovation and industrial development while improving product quality and safety. It also facilitates international cooperation and exchange.

With the implementation and improvement of 3D printing standards, it can be observed that these standards focus on equipment and materials, especially metal 3D printing. Combined with application fields, there is an urgent demand for standard formulation in aerospace and medical fields reflecting high standards for quality, reliability, and precision. The establishment and implementation of these new standards will drive the development of the 3D printing industry towards a more mature and professional direction.