3D Printers Leave Hidden 'Fingerprints' that Reveal Part Origins

3D printers leave hidden 'fingerprints' that reveal part origins

A new artificial intelligence system pinpoints the origin of 3D printed parts down to the specific machine that made them. The technology could allow manufacturers to monitor their suppliers and manage their supply chains, detecting early problems and verifying that suppliers are following agreed upon processes.

Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have discovered that each 3D printer, even identical in terms of model and settings, leaves a unique “fingerprint” on the printed parts. These microscopic differences are invisible to the naked eye. However, they can be successfully detected by artificial intelligence when analyzing a photo of the print surface. A novel approach to identification A research team led by Professor Bill…

AI tool traces 3D printed parts using photographs

Traceability is crucial in manufacturing, supporting quality assurance and quality control, sustainability, regulation, and security, to name just a few essential considerations in virtually any industry. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to trace a part’s history. In bygone days, the mark from a blacksmith or a cobbler on a sword or a shoe could be sufficient to identify where that object came from and by whom it was made. But the industrial …