Charlottesville, VA: Rapid prototyping is the staple of the 3D printing world, but 3D printing firms are seeking to manufacture low-volumes of usable parts, not just prototypes and models. According to a new report from SmarTech Markets Publishing, an industry analysis firm, revenues from 3D-printed products will grow from $1.4 billion in 2014 to more than $3.5 billion in 2019.
The new report, “Low-Volume Manufacturing: Mass Customization Markets for the 3D Printing Industry: 2013 to 2022,” identifies opportunities created by substituting 3D printing for conventional manufacturing. 3D printing lowers fixed costs, such as retooling assembly lines, considerably improving the economics of short production runs.
This report also shows how the 3D printing sector can profit from the shift to “mass customization.” With 3D printing, products can be modified to provide an individualized fit, making products more useful and enjoyable, and therefore more marketable.
For more on the report, see: https://additivemanufacturingresearch.com/low-volume-manufacturing-mass-customization-markets-for-the-3d-printing-industry-2013-to-2022-10-2013
About the Report:
This new report identifies and quantifies where the revenues will be generated as 3D printing penetrates mainstream manufacturing. It analyzes the product/market strategies of leading 3D printer firms for capitalizing on low-volume manufacturing, and also discusses materials opportunities. Both conventional and “prosumer” 3D printers are covered, as are printers that print multiple materials. The report also contains ten-year revenue forecasts for 3D-printed products, broken out by type.
Sectors covered include: aerospace, automotive, presentation products/visual aids, gifts/novelties, models and figurines, jewelry, smartphone cases, spectacle frames, dental, medical and others.
Among the companies discussed are 3D Systems, Apple, Arcam, Archetype Z Studio, Asiga, Asda, Bespoke Modeling, Bespoke Eyewear, Canon, Cookson Precious Metals, CRP Technologie, DWS, EnvisionTEC, EOS, ExOne, Fathom & Form Jewelry, Ford, Frameri, Freshfiber, GE, Hoganas, Hot Pop Factory, Innovation MediTech, Jaguar Land Rover, Lima Corporate, Makoo, Materialise, Mcor, Microsoft, Morpheus, MYKITA, Nervous System, Nokia, Office Depot, Phenix, Ponoko, Protos, Realizer, Red-Eye, Sainsbury’s, Sciaki, Sculpteo, Shapeways, Sigma Lab, Solidscape, Staples, Stilnest, Stratasys, StyleShapes, Suuz, Trumpf, UPS, Viztu, Voxeljet, Widex, Zuus, and Zazzy.
From the Report:
3D printing is already used in the jewelry industry for specialty parts. Its use is expected to grow, with revenues from 3D printed jewelry reaching $860 million by 2023. Currently 3D printers can accelerate design processes. 3D printers will shift traditional cost structures to enable more jewelers to create individual lines of jewelry and reinvent their businesses.
Smartphone cases are among the first products to be produced using 3D printing. In 2014, 3D-printed smartphone cases will generate $60 million. This will grow to $225 million in 2019. 3D printing brings the ability to create complex designs that conventional manufacturing processes cannot. 3D printers also print plastics that provide good protection for the phone. Online service bureaus already offer 3D- printed cases and also carry templates for printing one’s own cases.
Because of the small size and custom shapes of dental objects, 3D printing has found applications in the dental industry; 3D-printed dental device revenues are already more than $285 million and will reach $630 million by 2019. Current applications for 3D printing include quick, accurate models of patient’s teeth to fit crowns, dentures, etc. 3D printers can also create copings and partial dentures.
About SmarTech Markets Publishing:
SmarTech offers the best in industry analysis and forecasting for the 3D printing sector. Our published reports and customized consulting work provide clients with guidance on the direction that 3D printing is taking and how to capitalize on available opportunities.
