很难想象一家重型机械制造商在进行3D打印的实践。但事实上,在卡特彼勒,3D打印并不是一个新概念。过去25年,卡特彼勒已通过3D打印技术,制造了5万个模型,为客户节约了大量的成本和时间。对新技术和前瞻性应用的执着追求和投入,使卡特彼勒在业界与众不同,甚至更酷。3D打印通常是打印零件或工具。但是,如果我们能打印出可以拯救生命的东西呢?比如一颗心脏。2015年,卡特彼勒工程师与Jump模拟交易与教育中心的工程师及医生合作,根据患者的数据制造出了两个3D打印的心 It’s hard to imagine a heavy machinery maker doing 3D printing. But in fact, 3D printing is not a new concept at Caterpillar. For the past 25 years, Caterpillar has produced 50,000 models using 3D printing technology, saving customers a great deal of cost and time. Dedication and commitment to new technologies and forward-looking applications make Caterpillar unique and even cool in the industry. 3D printing is usually a printed part or tool. But if we can print something that can save lives, like a heart. In 2015, Caterpillar engineers worked with engineers and doctors at the Jump Simulation Trading and Education Center to create two 3D printed hearts based on patient data