3D Printing and Wood

Abstract

Interest in 3D printing has greatly increased since 2013. With 3D printing high part complexity at no additional costs can be achieved, beside of efficiently using the raw material. This article reviews recent developments in 3D printing, with respect to the use of wood. Three examples are given on how wood could come to 3D printing: development of bio-based filaments, printing wood-like 3D objects, and perform "self-replication" of wood by combining 3D printing with microtomography. Bio-based printing filaments require extremely fine wood powder, to ensure a homogenious printing process without nozzle-blocking. The wood-like appearance seems to be of higher priority than the wood-based content as such. The wood "self-replication" is a new approach fostering bio-inspired materials research and biomimetics. Wood-related 3D will certainly have a future, but will most likely occupy "niche market" for e.g. complex-shaped wood products.