Conference discusses future of 3D printing

Future development of 3D printing must be integrated with other advanced technologies such as big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and numerical control, Luo Jun, chief executive of the World 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance, said recently at a press conference at the Third World 3D Printing Technology Industry Conference.

Themed "To Usher in the Era of 3D Printing 3.0", the conference, held in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province on June 4 and 5, attracted about 1,200 delegates from colleges and universities, industrial alliances, related companies and organizations from more than 10 countries and regions.

Luo said Chengdu was chosen to host the event because it has many advantages to boost the development of emerging technologies and industries as an important city in western China.

Both the city and provincial governments have also made effective efforts to develop 3D printing, he added.

The alliance, one of the event organizers, would help Chengdu better develop its 3D printing industry, Luo said.

With its help, for example, Chengdu is expected to be home to the headquarters of the China 3D Printing Innovation Center and the China 3D Printing Research Institute in Southwest China.

Luo said the 3D printing industry will enter a new era of fast development in the coming years, with global industrial output forecast to reach 200 billion yuan ($32.2 billion) in 2020.

The central government also started attaching more importance to the industry by releasing two documents to promote its development in the first half of this year, he added.

A parallel 3D printing exhibition was also held in Chengdu from June 3 to 6. It was the largest of its kind in the world, with its exhibition halls covering a total area of 16,000 square meters.

More than 100 companies from China, Germany, Belgium and the United States displayed their latest 3D printing technologies and products to about 30,000 visitors during the four-day event.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/11/2015 page6)