3D printing technology uses digital model as a basis and utilize metallic powder, plastic and sands to generate core structure by line printing. This technology has been widely applied in various fields, such as costume design, architecture model, automobile, medical apparatus, military, and mechanical machining.
Recently, researchers from our lab of flow through porous media, with cooperation of 3D printer company, successfully printed the first 3D core by CT scanning. The printed picture is 38 cm long, 26 cm wide and 26 cm high. With this technology, various cores can be printed according to rock properties to meet the need of experiments. This technology will play a significant role in petroleum industry. Such technique has been patented.