3D Printing, a New Digital Manufacturing Mode

In this paper, the concept of 3D printing technology was introduced, and its development history was also reviewed; Then the status-quo of 3D printing, at abroad and home, has been deeply studied; The applications in different fields were elaborated; By analyzing the advantages and the technical barriers of 3D printing, the development tendency was put forward. Finally, the paper pointed out that 3D printing technology, regarded as a milestone in the industrial revolution in future, would bring about far-reaching effect and reformation in such aspects as modern manufacturing industry, social production mode and the way of human life etc.