Analysis of Trends in the Development of 3D Printing Technologies with Metal-Based Powder Materials

This article presents the results of the analysis of the patent situation in the field of 3D printing technologies with metals and materials based on them and the prospects for their development. In the development of the life cycle of patenting laser additive technologies in Russia in 2000–2020, three main stages can be distinguished, namely, Stage I for 2000–2008, Stage II for 2009–2015, and Stage III for 2016–2020. In terms of the applicability of patent solutions in the field of laser additive technologies, the most developed industries are the mechanical engineering and metallurgical industries. The leaders of patenting in the Russian Federation territory are BASF and Siemens (Germany) and Airbus Operation (France). The leading countries where applicants strive to obtain patents are the USA, Russia, China, Japan, and the countries of the European Union. Three main directions can be distinguished among the main trends in the development of laser additive technologies: development of basic cultivation technologies (development of effective technological modes) of products and technologies of combined processing (e.g., deformation, thermal, and thermal–deformation); development of devices and equipment for additive manufacturing, including special equipment that ensures high-quality geometric parameters and improves the performance properties of the product during the production process; and development and creation of new powder materials and their compositions with a given granulometric composition and technologies for their production.