A thorough explanation of the 3D printing market, and the outlook for the “5 trillion yen market” unraveled from success stories by industry
The 3D printing market has made great strides in recent years. According to the latest research, the market is expected to reach $34.5 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 18.1% from 2023 to 2028. In this article, we will introduce the advances in 3D printing technology that are revolutionizing various industries, use cases in each industry, and the future prospects of this rapidly evolving field, based on the market research report “Global 3D Printing Market Size, Share, and Industry Growth Analysis: By Offering, Process, Application, Industry, Technology, and Region – Global Growth Drivers and Industry Forecast (to 2028) ” by MarketsandMarkets, a global market research company.
3D printing market is growing at a rapid pace
Growth in the 3D printing market is expected to accelerate rapidly over the next few years, driven primarily by the increasing adoption of the technology in industries such as healthcare, automotive and aerospace.
Note 1: In this article, “printing” refers to printing itself, and “printer” refers to the printing machine.
There are several trends in 3D printing that will shape the future of the market. There are three main trends: Increasing use of metal materials
Although plastic is still the most common material used in 3D printing, the use of metal materials is on the rise. The advantages of metal 3D printing are its high strength, durability, and heat resistance.
New Material Development
Companies in the 3D printing market continue to develop new materials to enhance the capabilities of 3D printers, such as flexible materials, high-performance thermoplastics, and even edible materials for food printers.
Bioprinting
, the process of using 3D printing technology to create cell patterns, may one day be used to 3D print living tissues and organs.
“Extremely exciting” use cases for 3D printing
One of the major advances in 3D printing technology is the development of faster and more efficient printers. Traditional 3D printers were known for their slow printing speeds, but the introduction of new printing techniques and improved hardware has significantly reduced printing times. This has made it possible to
print larger and more complex objects in a shorter time, making 3D printing a viable option for mass production.
Another major advance in 3D printing technology is the development of new materials. In the early days of 3D printing, plastics were primarily used. However, researchers and engineers have since developed a variety of materials that can be used for 3D printing, including metals, ceramics, and even food.
These new materials have expanded the possibilities of 3D printing, allowing for the creation of more durable and functional objects.
In addition to faster printers and new materials, there have also been advances in the precision and accuracy of 3D printing. This has been made possible by the development of more sophisticated software and improved control systems.
These advances have made it possible to create highly detailed and complex objects with a level of precision that was once unimaginable.
The applications of 3D printing are so wide that almost every industry is finding innovative ways to incorporate this technology. Here, we look at some of the most exciting applications of 3D printing in various industries.
In the healthcare industry, 3D printing has proven to be a game changer. 3D printing has enabled the creation of custom medical devices, such as prosthetics and implants, tailored to the needs of individual patients.
This not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces costs and eliminates the need for time-consuming and expensive traditional manufacturing processes. 3D printing is also being used to create models of organs and biological tissues for surgical planning and medical education purposes.
Three-dimensional printing has completely changed the manufacturing process in the aerospace industry .Traditionally, aerospace parts were manufactured using subtractive methods, where excess material is removed from large blocks. However, 3D printing allows the production of complex shapes and lightweight structures that were not possible with traditional manufacturing methods, significantly improving the performance and fuel efficiency of aircraft. The automotive
industry has adopted 3D printing, especially in the prototyping stage. 3D printing allows rapid production of prototypes, allowing manufacturers to test and refine designs before committing to expensive molds and manufacturing processes. This not only speeds up the development process, but also reduces costs and improves overall design quality. In the architecture industry, 3D printing has brought
new possibilities to design and construction. 3D printing is used to create complex architectural models, allowing architects and clients to visualize and refine designs. In addition, 3D printing is being used to build smaller structures such as houses and pavilions, and in the future, large-scale 3D printed structures may be constructed. These are just a
few examples of how 3D printing is being used in various industries. From healthcare to aerospace to automotive to architecture, 3D printing is revolutionizing the way we design, manufacture, and innovate.
How 3D printing impacts manufacturing
The impact of 3D printing on the manufacturing process cannot be overstated. This disruptive technology offers many advantages over traditional manufacturing methods and has the potential to revolutionize the way we manufacture. One of the
main benefits of 3D printing is the ability to create complex shapes and intricate designs that were not possible with previous manufacturing methods. This opens up new possibilities in product design, allowing for the creation of highly customized and personalized products. In addition,
3D printing eliminates the need for expensive machines and molds, reducing upfront costs and allowing for smaller production runs.
Another major benefit of 3D printing on the manufacturing process is the reduction of waste material. Traditional manufacturing methods involve removing excess material from large blocks, which creates a lot of wasted waste material.
However, the 3D printing process is additive, where material is added layer by layer as needed, minimizing waste and optimizing material usage. This not only reduces costs, but also has the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly.