By: Wilson VornDick
In the PRC, the hope of 3D printing (三维打印 or 3D打印技术) has stretched the boundaries of possible futurity applications. The PRC is pushing ahead with innovative ways of employing 3D printing across all sectors of its economy, from prosthetics to titanium-based aerospace parts, to a sustainably-built double-decker halt shelter exterior Shanghai (Winsun, 2017). The PRC is likewise pioneering concepts in addition to applications for 3D printing of materiel, weaponry, in addition to munitions for job yesteryear the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
This article reviews available literature from the PRC, including both armed services in addition to civilian academic in addition to scientific sources, to illustrate evolving views of the evolution in addition to possible deployment of 3D printing. The nascent in addition to notional concepts espoused inwards these articles stretching dorsum to 2013 were of import inwards laying the groundwork for many electrical flow 3D printing advances. As Wang Feiyue, a manager at both the National Defense University of Technology in addition to the Chinese Academy of Sciences states, quoting an former Chinese proverb, i must “cross the river yesteryear feeling the stones” (摸着石头过河) [1].
PRC Views of 3D Printing Technology
3D printing falls nether the wide umbrella of advanced manufacturing (先进制造业) applied scientific discipline which is divided betwixt “subtractive” in addition to “additive” manufacturing. Subtractive manufacturing (减法制造) is the procedure inwards which an particular is created yesteryear the removal of stuff through methods such equally drilling or lathing. Conversely, additive manufacturing (AM; 增材制造/加式制造) is the procedure of adding stuff to exercise an item. Pioneered inwards the 1980s but soundless considered a novel degree of AM, 3D printing is the might to fabricate objects yesteryear constructing them over a menstruum of minutes, hours, or days using a “printer” capable of laying downward i really exactly defined layer of a stuff subsequently another, eventually forming the completed object.
As Hua Rong from Rockwell Automation Red People's Republic of China points out, a diversity of materials tin give notice live used to fabricate objects, including resin, plastic, or fifty-fifty metallic [2]. It is of import to Federal Reserve annotation that the champaign of 3D printing, equally business office of AM, remains dynamic equally novel concepts, technical definitions, standards, techniques, in addition to follow-up technologies evolve. As such, PRC sources sometimes refer to 3D printing in addition to AM equally i inwards the same, piece other sources brand tiddler distinctions betwixt the 2 based on the type of stuff created or procedure employed. For this article, 3D printing or AM volition live used equally cited inwards the master copy PRC sources.
Even though Western standards seat upwards of x 3D printing methods, the PRC sources reviewed inwards 2015 listing alone vi 3D printing methods (ISO, 2015; ALL3DP, 2018) [3]. The vi processes include: Fused Deposition Modeling (熔融沉积成型), Selected Laser Sintering (选择性激光烧结), Selective Laser Melting (选择性激光熔融), Stereolithography Appearance (立体光刻), Electron Beam Melting (电子束熔化), in addition to Laminated Object Manufacturing (分层实体制造) [4] [5]. This discrepancy inwards methods is probable because of the rapidity with which this applied scientific discipline has advanced since 2015. Despite the differences inwards the expose of methodologies, 3D printing applied scientific discipline essentially breaks downward into “what” in addition to “how” stuff is added in addition to joined. 3D printers themselves are quite intricate in addition to include both hardware in addition to software components. Hardware mostly includes the printer assemblies, the nozzles, in addition to the requisite mixture of feedstock required for fabrication, alongside other components. Meanwhile, software consists of specified supervisory command in addition to information acquisition (SCADA) systems in addition to large, memory-intensive blueprints required for production, known equally computer-aided designing files (CADs) (电脑辅助设计).
Fabricating National Rejuvenation
AM aligns with China’s national strategic objective to larn a scientific discipline in addition to applied scientific discipline superpower (科技强国) through initiatives at all levels of government. Because 3D printing relies heavily on advances inwards both software in addition to hardware, 3D printing falls squarely inwards broader efforts inside Red People's Republic of China to promote “informatization” (信息化). Furthermore, advances inwards 3D printing tin give notice live used to boost non alone civilian industries, but likewise armed services ones equally well, making it a skilful lucifer for the PRC’s computer programme of “military-civil fusion” or “civil-military integration” (军民融合; China Brief, Apr 9, 2018). Two peculiarly noteworthy programs inwards the context of 3D printing in addition to civil armed services fusion are “Made inwards Red People's Republic of China 2025” in addition to the PRC’s 13th Five-Year-Plan (China State Council, May 8, 2015; China Daily, 2017) [6].
The USA Department of Defense’s 2018 written report to Congress on armed services in addition to safety developments involving the PRC points out that the collaboration betwixt the PRC’s Ministry of Science in addition to Technology in addition to the PLA Central Military Commission’s Science in addition to Technology Commission described inwards the 13th Five-Year Plan-Military-Civilian Fusion Science & Technology Developmental Guide brand that document a “roadmap for military-civilian fusion efforts inwards the adjacent v years”, i meant to exercise goodness both the PRC economic scheme in addition to the PLA through a specific focus on advanced manufacturing techniques. Also, the “plan aims to prepare internationally competitive leading enterprises; amend technical, equipment, in addition to character standards to international levels; in addition to exercise a long-term industrial provide chain in addition to perfect volume production” (Office of the Secretary of Defense, May 16, 2018) [7].
Conflicting PRC Views of the 3D Printing Horizon
Linking his back upward to these state-directed efforts in addition to the “Thousand Talents Program” (千人计划), Wang Feiyue champions the integration of fields such equally large information (大数据) in addition to 3D printing with Chinese tidings in addition to armed services capabilities [2]. He begins yesteryear pointing out that 3D printing has the potential to usher inwards major changes on the battlefield, from logistics to armaments to combat operations, since “any figurer that tin give notice connect to a source tin give notice larn a production plant.” Additionally, 3D printing is an “industrial in addition to equipment revolution” that tin give notice harness lodge to “socially manufacture” (社会制造中) items inwards real-time, an might that could live harnessed for armed services manufacturing equally required. In Wang’s view, 3D printing offers iii advantages: flexibility, production of both uncomplicated in addition to complex items, in addition to production capability for a large inventory in addition to a diversity of items. Advancing his assessment beyond 3D printing, Wang augurs a broader swath of the futurity digital landscape inwards which advances inwards cyberspace synch with advances 3D printing. He concludes that existing armed services systems “must amend in addition to transform” equally a result. If that tin give notice live achieved, it volition aid inwards the goals toward national rejuvenation in addition to fulfillment of the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦). However, he ominously warns that if Red People's Republic of China does non properly align in addition to residue betwixt the civilian in addition to armed services systems, such equally 3D printing, in addition to hence it could spell disaster on par with the Soviet Union’s collapse.
Writing well-nigh the nascent AM manufacture inwards Red People's Republic of China inwards 2013, Eric Anderson of the University of California San Diego provides an initial hold off at the key players, the operate of the government, in addition to specific applications for AM inwards the aerospace industry. At the time, Chinese sources appeared to live mixed on the potential of AM for China, viewing it equally both a threat in addition to opportunity. Some viewed 3D printing equally a threat because it challenges traditional manufacturing techniques in addition to interests inside the PRC. Meanwhile, others expressed fearfulness in addition to anxiety that if Red People's Republic of China does non larn a major instrumentalist inwards 3D printing, it could lose critical Earth inwards leveraging this novel technology. At the same time, to a greater extent than or less institute that 3D printing is important with possibilities for Red People's Republic of China to “regain marketplace seat portion inwards advanced manufacturing” in addition to “leapfrog” global competitors inwards this developing champaign [8]. In a follow-up analysis on the aviation in addition to aerospace industries, it was institute that Red People's Republic of China has already achieved important savings inwards production time, cost, in addition to stuff on job concern human relationship of AM. 3D printed parts accept been used inwards the COMAC C919 rider jet in addition to diverse armed services aircraft such equally the Y-20 carry in addition to J-15, J-16, J-20, in addition to J-31 jet fighters [9].
In contrast to Anderson’s assessment, Jin Dayuan from the No. 36 Research Institute of Red People's Republic of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) contends that 3D printing volition non supercede traditional degree of manufacturing, rather it volition complement. Specifically citing American advances inwards 3D printing, which is mutual throughout Chinese sources, Jin holds upward American efforts to 3D impress parts for the F-35 fighter in addition to SpaceX’s Dragon 2 infinite capsule equally examples. However, Jin expounds upon an observation yesteryear Anderson that armed services applications should include the manufacture of complex in addition to rare aviation parts–another mutual in addition to regularly noted chance for Red People's Republic of China to leverage. Jin likewise sees additional opportunities inwards space-based manufacturing (太空制造), thereby reducing loads for launch in addition to greater mission flexibility; production of “mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (微型无人) in addition to parts (无人机暂用零件);” armed services electronics such equally a 2013 production of a satellite antenna yesteryear Shenzhen Weihang Magnetoelectric Co., Ltd.; in addition to the production of parts for regular in addition to emergency repairs in addition to full general maintenance.
In draw with Jin’s terminal point, the repair of damaged armed services materiel is echoed yesteryear writers inwards Tactical Missile Technology, a PRC armed services periodical [10]. Separately, analysts inwards Mechanical Engineering in addition to Automation believe 3D printing tin give notice manufacture in addition to repair light-weapons such equally the American AR-15 [5]. Referencing American Naval proposals, the same analysts assert 3D printers could live deployed on ships in addition to human activity equally “factories” for materiel, such equally drones, which volition salve infinite in addition to inventory overhead. Around the same fourth dimension equally that publication, the PLA-Navy unveiled that it had used 3D printers onboard its naval vessels (3Dprint.com, 2015). Finally, writers inwards to a greater extent than or less other PRC armed services periodical emphasize the opportunities for prototyping in addition to question that 3D printing could afford the PLA [11]. There is i glaring omission that the PRC sources did non consider, however, that portends the danger inherent with AM. Proliferation of illicit materiel, from 3D printed pocket-size arms to centrifuges, is of important concern equally the applied scientific discipline circumvents both traditional export command regimes in addition to internal controls [12]. Red People's Republic of China already has a significant, illicit gun merchandise job (China Brief, Dec 21, 2015).
Conclusion
3D printing has an of import operate to play inwards the PRC’s strategic objective of becoming a scientific discipline in addition to applied scientific discipline superpower, with important implications for both civilian industries in addition to for PLA capabilities. Although analysts inside the PRC are divided betwixt those who perceive 3D printing to live a threat to traditional manufacturing industries, in addition to those who consider it an indispensable business office of the PRC’s superior armed services capabilities, collaboration betwixt the PRC fundamental authorities in addition to PLA scientific discipline in addition to applied scientific discipline commissions has nevertheless resulted inwards the increasing incorporation of 3D printing applied scientific discipline inwards armed services manufacturing. If, equally appears likely, the PRC remains at the forefront of civilian applications of this emerging technology, at that topographic point is every likelihood that the PLA volition likewise stand upward at the cutting border of its armed services applications.
Commander Wilson VornDick received a B.A. from George Washington University in addition to studied at East Red People's Republic of China Normal University inwards Shanghai. His assignments include the Chinese Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College in addition to the Pentagon. The views presented inwards this article are those of the author in addition to exercise non necessarily stand upward for the views of the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense.
Notes
[1] Wang Feiyue, “国防装备与系统的未来变革：从3D打印到平行军事体系” [The Coming Revolution inwards National Defense Weaponry in addition to Systems: From 3D Printing to Parallel Military Systems],” National Defense Science in addition to Technology, vol. 34 no. 3 (June 2013), pp. 1-9.
[2] Hua Rong, “3D打印与制造业” [3D Printing in addition to Manufacturing],” Instrument Standardization in addition to Measurement, no. 2 (2013), pp. 18-20.
[3] Simon Véronneau, Geoffrey Torrington, in addition to Jakub P. Hlávka, “3D Printing: Downstream Production Transforming the Supply Chain,” RAND, (2017).
[4] Jin DaYuan, “3D打印技术及其在军事领域的应用” [3D Printing in addition to Its Military Application],” New Process in addition to New Technology, no. iv (2015), pp. 9-12.
[5] Zhou Jiayong, Ji Pingxin, Mo Xinmin, Zhang Ang, in addition to Meng Xiaojing, “3D打印与制造业” [Application in addition to Development Trend of 3D Printing Technology inwards the Military Field],” Mechanical Engineering in addition to Automation, no. 6 (December 2015), pp. 217-219.
[6] “Made inwards Red People's Republic of China 2025: Global Ambitions Built on Local Protections,” United State Chamber of Commerce, (2017).
[7] “Annual Report to Congress: Military in addition to Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” Office of The Secretary of Defense, (May 16, 2018).
[8] Eric Anderson, “Additive Manufacturing inwards China: Threats, Opportunities, in addition to Developments (Part I),” Study of Innovation in addition to Technology inwards Red People's Republic of China – News Analysis: University of California San Diego, (May 1, 2013).
[9] Eric Anderson, “Additive Manufacturing inwards China: Aviation in addition to Aerospace Applications (Part 2),” Study of Innovation in addition to Technology inwards Red People's Republic of China – News Analysis: University of California San Diego, (May 9, 2013).
[10] Guo Chaobang, Hu Lirong, Hu Dongdong, Song Yiran, in addition to Zhang Shaofang. “3D 打印技术及其军事应用发展动态“ [Development of 3D Printing Technology in addition to Its Military Applications],” Tactical Missile Technology, no.6 (2013): 1-4.
[11] Deng Qiwen, Chen Qiang, Guo Jizhou, in addition to Wu Ji, “3D打印技术对装备发展的影响” [The Influence of 3D Printing Technology on the Development of Armament],” National Defense Science in addition to Technology, no. iv (June 2014).
[12] Kolja Brockmann in addition to Robert Kelley, “Challenges of Emerging Technologies to Mon-Proliferation Efforts: Controlling Additive Manufacturing in addition to Intangible Transfers of Technology,” Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, (April 2018)
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