1. Patent Search 
1.1 Selection of Patent Database 
1.2 Keywords 
1.3 Data Screening 
1.4 Data Analysis 
2. Patent Applications Analysis 
2.1 3D Systems 
2.1.1 Matrix Analysis 
2.1.2 Patent Application by Sector and Field 
2.1.3 Patent Application by Technology 
2.2 Stratasys 
2.2.1 Matrix Analysis 
2.2.2 Patent Application by Sector and Field 
2.2.3 Patent Application by Technology 
2.3 Z Corporation 
2.3.1 Matrix Analysis 
2.3.2 Patent Application by Sector and Field 
2.3.3 Patent Application by Technology 
3. Conclusion 
3.1 3D Printer Based on Mechanical Engineering, Integrating Material Technology, Computing, and Optics 
3.2 Major Vendors Focus on Shaping Process & Device and Data Processing Technologies 
3.3 Patents with High Originality but Still Low in Generality Indices Merit Further Observation 
Appendix 
Glossary of Terms 
List of Companies

Figure 1  3D Printer Patent Search Flow and Strategies 
Figure 2  Major Vendors' 3D Printers and Product Examples 
Figure 3  Scatter Plot of 3D Systems Patent Applications 
Figure 4  3D Systems Patent Applicaiton by Sector and Field 
Figure 5  3D Systems Patent Application by Technology 
Figure 6  Scatter Plot of Stratasys Patent Applications 
Figure 7  Stratasys Patent Application by Sector and Field 
Figure 8  Stratasys Patent Application by Technology 
Figure 9  Scatter Plot of Z Corporation Patent Applications 
Figure 10  Z Corporation Patent Application by Sector and Field 
Figure 11  Z Corporation Patent Application by Technology 
Figure 12  Major Vendors' Patent Application by Sector and Field 
Figure 13  Major Vendors' Patent Application by Technology 
Figure 14  Scatter Plot of Major Vendors' Patent Applications 
 

Table 1  Major Vendors' 3D Printer Patent Applications 
Table 2  Matrix Analysis of 3D Systems Patent Applications 
Table 3  Specific Technologies of 3D Systems Patent Applications 
Table 4  Matrix Analysis of Stratasys Patent Applications 
Table 5  Specific Technologies of Stratasys Patent Applications 
Table 6  Matrix Analysis of Z Corporation Patent Applications 
Table 7  Specific Technologies of Z Corporation Patent Application