3D printing expected to go beyond market predictions across multiple industries
Posted: 11 February 2015 | European Pharmaceutical Review
Amazing opportunities come along with prototyping technologies, and three-dimensional (3D) printing is gaining momentum across various industries, from printing a mobile phone cover to reconstructing human organs. Emerging as a technology of choice for a wide range of applications, 3D printing is expected to increase its market share rapidly to about 40 percent by 2015.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, “3D Printing Technology – 9 Dimensional Assessment”, finds that the trend toward personal manufacturing and small scale production is paving the way for 3D printing adoption. Along with well-established application sectors such as the automobile and aerospace segments, consumer goods manufacturing and healthcare applications offer immense scope for the technology.
“3D printing brings several performance and efficiency advantages to the table that translate into high quality; far greater than what can be achieved through conventional manufacturing,” said Technical Insights Research Analyst Jithendranath Rabindranath. “Therefore, organisations are embracing various approaches to expand the applicability of 3D printing, accelerating uptake especially in Asia and North America.”
However, the validity of the technology for large-scale systems and physical object manufacturing has not been clearly demonstrated. Further, the initial cost of establishing a rapid prototyping service is expected to be high, taking into account the steep initial investments and relatively modest production volumes.
Nevertheless, companies across the 3D printing value chain will benefit from the reduction in the amount of tooling and process steps, which will, in turn, cut down costs. This will also significantly minimise inventory and lead times, a defining factor for manufacturing companies.
“With burgeoning market potential and growing funding, the 3D printing ecosystem is taking shape,” remarked Rabindranath. “The contribution of multiple industry participants such as confederations, research labs, universities, start-ups, and established firms will further quicken the development and commercialization of 3D printing technology, products, and services on a global scale.”
3D Printing Technology – 9 Dimensional Assessment, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, outlines and provides current status, societal impact, and business implications of 3D printing. The study also details innovations and market opportunities I the 3D printing domain evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.
For more information on this research, please contact: Anna Zanchi, Corporate Communications, at [email protected]
