PrinTracker; A system to identify 3D printers from the created 3D part

At the University of Buffalo in New York, a team of researchers developed a 3D printer identification system. This would be able to identify the machine at the origin of a particular 3D printed piece. The system is called PrinTracker, its primary goal is to help law enforcement reduce the illegal use of 3D printers in areas such as when designing firearms. It’s a system that also could strengthen the place of intellectual property in this market.

3D printing is a manufacturing method with innovative applications; however, it raises some questions about the control of intellectual property. We indeed see counterfeits developed do to 3D printers, and copyright violations. PrinTracker could join already existing solutions to counter this problem. One example is the QR code developed, which allows for the integration of QR codes hiden within the model to avoid duplication. Although still under development, these solutions are good news for data protecting and IP rights in the 3D printing industry.

The steps of the process

PrinTracker, a system for identifying 3D printers

The researchers who developed the PrinTracker system explain that it is able to recognize the 3D printer at the origin of the part according to the unique way in which it deposits the material. However, they raise a limit by saying that it requires a database to check what is being advanced, much like the Automated Fingerprint File system.