The Printer is just the beginning.

BOSTON, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – The core element of additive production has always been the 3D Printer. However, the industry was built on a foundation made up of many different printer technologies. Each printer technology has its strengths, weaknesses, capabilities and limitations and the most compatible applications. IDTechEx’s “3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 2030-2033: Technology and Market Outlook” report analyzed over 30 different 3D printing technologies based on technical parameters such as build rate, resolution, cost, etc. to determine their individual performance relative to other printing technologies. Importantly, the unique characteristics each technology type has helps expand the 3D printer industry by making it easier to use additive manufacturing.

It is easy to lose sight, however, of all the important sectors that make 3D printed, especially industrial additive printing, possible. 3D printing is only possible when there is a complete ecosystem. This ecosystem includes materials, software, post processing, quality assurance, training, and other services. It is the maturation and acceptance of all aspects AM that is driving its adoption by end-users.

IDTechEx will discuss important aspects of the AM ecosystem in this article.  

Materials

3D-printed parts have historically struggled to compete against conventionally manufactured parts (i.e. Machined parts, injection-molded pieces, etc. Their poorer mechanical and material performance is partly why they are not commonly used. 3D printing companies (including material suppliers like Arkema or BASF) are making significant effort to address these shortcomings from the materials point of view. One way to improve performance is to use reinforcements such as carbon and glass fibers. However, nanocarbon fillers like graphene are becoming more popular and are beginning to be used in commercial 3D printing materials. Another option is to make high-performance, but difficult-to-process materials such as high-temperature thermoplastics or foams more printable. It is important to understand that different printing technologies require different materials in order to maximize overall performance. IDTechEx’s report, “3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 2023-233: Technology and Market Outlook”, provides further information about the 3D printing market.

Post-Processing

Post-processing refers the final step after 3D printing is complete to manufacture a single part. It is often the final or second-to last step in additive manufacturing (where the final step might be quality assurance). AM post-processing includes a variety of techniques. Some are specific to AM, i.e. Support removal, depowdering) and others are used for other manufacturing processes (e.g. Surface finishing, metal annealing treatment. Some post-processing methods are required after printing. Other techniques are optional but can be used to improve certain aspects of printed parts (i.e. mechanical performance, appearance, etc.).

3D printing is becoming more popular for high-volume parts. This means that post-processing is essential in order to make printed parts suitable and usable for end-use applications. Many AM post-processing companies such as DyeMansion, AMT and PostProcess Technologies have developed equipment that can handle larger parts. These machines are built to handle large numbers of parts and to be as efficient as possible to reduce the production time for 3D-printed parts. These companies have grown rapidly over the past five years and have formed partnerships with established printer makers, making post-processing a fascinating AM-related sector to watch over the next decade.

Software

3D printing is a digital manufacturing technique that incorporates software at each step of the production process. The main goal of 3D printing software development is making AM adoption easier for end users. This is in an effort to expand AM’s reach. Companies like Xerox have developed software tools that can help end-users determine which parts are best suited for 3D printing. Such software aims to streamline the process by removing any engineering consulting required to determine the best places for AM within an organisation. Software start-ups ParaMatters and nTopology are creating tools that make it easier to create complicated geometries for 3D printers. Ansys produces simulation software to help test the performance of 3D printed parts even before they are manufactured.

After printing, inspection, quality assurance software, and testing compare 3D scans of the manufactured parts to the original 3D model. This is critical for parts used within highly regulated industries, such as healthcare and aerospace. Workflow management software such as AMFG, 3YOURMIND and AM-Flow is essential for monitoring the status of each print project, from order to delivery. This is especially important when printing large quantities, as many 3D printing companies strive to do.

To put it another way, AM adoption will increase if there is easy-to-learn software at every stage of the 3D printing process. Investors are aware of this need. USD$125M In 2021, more than $1.5 billion was invested in software 3D printing-related businesses. Software companies nTopology and nPrint were also among the top 10 largest fundraising rounds in the AM industry in 2021.$65M Oqton (Series D)$40M Pre-acquisition by 3D Systems in Series A IDTechEx expects this investment trend continues into 2022. 21% of private funding in H1 2022 was directed to AM companies. This is up from 202.

Services

Industry has been following the same business strategy for decades, which has exposed the inherent difficulties in selling printers and consumables to end-users. Customers need to be able to budget for high-end printers and consumables, which can cost hundreds of thousands and hundreds of dollars per kg, respectively. If purchasing a 3D Printer is not feasible or difficult for customers, service providers play an important role in providing access. This allows end-users to print 3D without having to know how to operate the printers.

Notable is the increase in service providers that use their own printing technology. They have chosen to sell the printers they make using their proprietary technology, rather than selling them like traditional 3D printer producers. Instead of selling the printers, they will keep their proprietary printing technology in house to produce parts for their customers. In-house production companies that use their proprietary technology, such as 3DEO, Holo and Bond3D, can be compared to vertically integrated OEMs. This business model allows companies to bypass many of the traditional barriers to adoption that come with commercializing a new printing technique. Service providers such as those mentioned are helping to expand the 3D printing industry. This helps to lower the barriers to entry for AM-users.

Market Forecasts for Additive Manufacturing

IDTechEx’s new report “3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing in 2023-2033: Technology and Market Outlook”, segments the market with eighty different forecast lines. These lines cover seventeen technology categories, four main material categories, and eight material subdivisions. These forecasts include future installations, revenue, material revenue, and hardware unit sales. IDTechEx offers comprehensive technology benchmarking studies and examination and case studies in critical application areas. It also discusses auxiliary AM fields and provides economic and market analysis. IDTechEx analyzes the positives and negative effects of COVID-19 and subsequent supply disruptions on 3D printing markets. The IDTechEx report provides additional information about the market including 125 interviews with market leaders and start-ups as well technology comparison studies, analysis of business models, and 10-year market forecasts..

For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/3DP. For the full portfolio of 3D Printing research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/3D.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx helps you make strategic business decisions by providing Subscription, Research, and Consultancy products that help you to profit from emerging technologies. Contact IDTechEx for more information [email protected] Visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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