The 3D Printing Industry

Increasingly, there several products of the 3D printing which have become visible in modern society. These are evidenced in classrooms, medical technologies, and retail stores. There recent advancements that are occurring through 3D printing, which are ensuring that products and units that are of high and better quality are produced in modern society. These aids in achieving success in the conduct of business activities of the companies.

The force that is present in 3D printing cannot be stopped. The limited output and printing speeds of the 3D printers has made them suitable for rapid prototyping. However, in the coming years there will be adoption of full-scale production in different industries and firms. The stage was set in decades and has being undergoing through the process of innovation, which ensures that in the future people will enjoy the performance and the output of the 3D printing. Such is evidenced by the massive investment and competition in 3D printing by governments across the globe as they focus on ensuring that their nations can reshape the entire custom manufacturing sector efficiently.

Introduction about 3D printing industry

The traditional methods of fabrication entails a lot of time, expense, and effort since the specialized have to create the individualized molds, construct items, and assemble components from different pieces (Attaran and Paisley 26). The 3-dimensional printing plays the role of removing most of the expenses and time from the process of establishing new industrial and commercial objects. There are self-contained printers, which create the items from CAD drawings that are already in three-dimension. The printing of the items involves the use of one layer at a time leading to the attainment of better control and creativity in the final shape as compared to all other methods of construction. Therefore, the printing occurs at a fast rate and cuts down their entire process of creation from weeks or days to just hours for several items.

3D printing is also called the additive manufacturing since it entails the turning of the 3D digital models to solid objects and creating them in layers. The first invention of the technology was experienced in the 1980s and since then, it has widely being employed in the rapid prototyping (RP). In the past years, the 3D printing has began undergoing the evolution to the next-generation of the manufacturing technology that enhances the local and on-demand final parts or products production (Attaran and Paisley 26). 3D printing is experienced in several types of materials that include ceramics, metal alloys, pure metals, thermoplastic composites, and thermoplastics, as well as different food forms. The end-use manufacturing technology of 3D printing is at its infancy state. However, the combination of the same with nanotechnology and synthetic biology ensures that it is possible to have a radical transformation of the logistics, production, and design processes.

Types

The types of 3D printing technologies include stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), electronic beam melting (EBM), fused deposition modeling (FDM), laminated object manufacturing (LOM), selective laser melting (SLM), and selective laser sintering (SLS).

Stereolithography (SLA)

Stereolithography (SLA) is a method of 3D printing that aids in printing of all forms of projects that entail 3D printing. The method is the oldest, but it is also currently being used in the industry. The stereolithograph apparatus converts the plastic in liquid form to 3D objects that are solid in nature (Attaran and Paisley 26). Several techniques of printing need the use of the computer aided design (CAD) to ensure that the object is processed efficiently.

Digital light processing (DLP)

Digital light processing (DLP) was invented in 1987 and became widely used in the production of the projectors. The technology utilizes the micro mirrors that are in digital form and presented in the semiconductor chip. Such is widely used in 3D printing, cell phones, and movie projectors. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) method was founded in the 1980s. The technique assists in the printing of the functional prototypes, as well as the final end-use products and concept models. The parts that are created through the use of the FDM are subjected to the engineering grade and high-performance thermoplastic, which is beneficial to manufacturers and engineers (Five Things YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT...3D Printing 96). The FDM acts as the only 3D printing technology, which creates parts of the production-grade thermoplastics and has things printed, which are of excellent chemical, thermal, and mechanical qualities.

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

Selective laser sintering (SLS) utilizes laser as the main source of power for the formation of the solid 3D objects. The technology was developed in 1980s and the object that is being printed is always covered by the powder that is unsintered without having support structures. The selective laser melting (SLM) methods involves the use of the 3D CAD data as the main source and produces the 3D object through the use of the high-power laser beam that melts and fuses metallic powders together (Attaran and Paisley 26). The technique was invented in 1995. Electronic beam melting (EBM) depicts an additive metal parts manufacturing. The method started being used at the onset of this century. EBM utilizes the electron beam in the printing process of the 3D objects. Finally, laminated object manufacturing (LOM) depicts the rapid system for prototyping. The process entails having adhesive-coated paper layers, metal or plastic laminates fused together when subjected to pressure and heat and eventually cut into shapes with a knife of laser that is controlled by the computer.

Market Research and market value

The global market of 3D printing is estimated at a value of USD 7.9 billion as of 2016 (Costello 1). The forecast is that by 2022, the market value will be at USD 33.58 billion (Costello 1). The projection growth is set at CAGR 27.29 percent in the 2017-2022 forecasts. During the initiation process of the technology, the firms focused on prototyping, but over the years, the situation has changed since it is now focused in final products. Such occurs since the printing provides applications in a varied range of the products that start from the jet engines all the way to the designed bikinis that are customized.

The growth of the industry is supported by the technological developments that promise flexibility and gains leading to faster product design, development, and launching. 3D printing has the benefits of reducing the transportation, labor, and material costs Five Things YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT...3D Printing 96). Thus, across the globe, governments have begun investing in the 3D printing since it has positive impact on technology adoption and propagation.

Where is the industry now (internationally?)

Currently, 3-D printing has become prominent as new processes and materials have expanded, which aids in the reduction of the cost for the small businesses such that individual consumers have a chance to establish their independent 3-dimensional objects. Further, 3-D printing is changing from being based on the prototyping system to manufacturing system in several industries (Docksai 14). For example, in the United Kingdom, 3-D printing is being used in the manufacturing of the lightweight aerodynamic parts used in the aircraft that cannot be created through the use of the conventional methods (Karin 1). Such a method has the efficiency in the utilization of materials that include titanium.

Firms are also offering the special customized services on printing that are targeted on the niche users. An example of this is the 3D Outlook Corporation that provides the 3-dimensional topographical maps focused on resorts, real estate moguls, and hikers (Karin 1). There is also a start of the appearance of the 3-D printing in the medical applications. The model designs are based on CT scan images and help in addressing issues of patients, especially the one that have challenges in adhering to the technical jargon that is included in the visual aid.

Region

3D Printing

America

America holds the largest market share of 3D printing. The adoption of the technique is for the production and design purpose (Hlavin 22). There is minimal use of plastics and product customization.

Europe

Europe region embraces the technology. For example, the Dutch government has invested additional $150 million in the process of 3D printing innovation and research. However, the market experiences the constraints of the high cost for the equipment required to produce the 3D printing to a scale that is in an industrial state (Docksai 14). There is also lack of international standards body for manufacturer’s regulation that limits the market. Europe holds the second largest market share from America. Europe adopts the technique for research and development. Europeans use a lot of plastic materials and there is a lot of product customization.

Middle East

Middle East is forecasted to register a CAGR of 16.7 % on 3D printing during the 2015-2025 as the application is finding place in aerospace and automotive industry (Hlavin 22). The market is also increasing and the revenue is expected to hit USD 551.3 million by 2025.

East Asia

The East Asia is also adopting 3D printing services in virtual warehousing, consumer parts production, 3D engineering services, part optimization, and prototyping (Docksai 14). The forecast for the manufacturing sector expenditure on 3D printing is at USD1.7 billion by 2021. Thus, the region has not adopted the 3D printing efficiently as compared to what is experienced in America and Europe.

Who are the major players?

The major players of 3D printing include Stratasys, 3D systems, MCOR Technologies Ltd, Luxexcel, Exone, EOS GmbH, ARC Group Worldwide, Inc, Materialise NV, Envisiontec, Optomec Inc, Amazon.Com, Inc, HP Inc, Voxeljet AG, and SLM Solutions Group AG (Costello 1).

Economics and cost & effects of the 3D Printing industry

3D printing has the economic issue where the price per unit that is produced is high as compared to the traditional manufacturing; there is a zero cost on tooling (Hlavin 22). The high up-front costs on tooling makes the manufacturing process based on traditional strategy to be expensive for the production runs that are small. The 3D printing ensures that there is rapid prototyping and what would take months or tow is now done in a few hours. There are short-production runs and jigs and fixtures are experienced at a higher rate. Mass customization is also adopted, the production surprises are good and easily experienced, and the non-standard parts that are potentially good for use exist.

Related Industries & brief future look with that change

Machinery

The machinery firms are using the technology of the 3-D in the production of different parts for the machinery work (Leeper 45). The machinery companies are now not needed to design and have the parts produced as the customer orders. Rather, these entities just need to reproduce and print the parts immediately when a customer needs them by having the database of these units. Such is aided by the 3D printing technology. The companies also can design their units that suit the needs of customers without having to undergo the lengthy process of designing and determining how to produce a product.

Manufacturing

The industry of 3-D printing is gaining root in the manufacturing sector. Such has occurred in the aviation industry where 3D printing is widely in the production of the different parts of the aircraft (Hlavin 22). These include the lightweight sections of the aircraft. Thus, the manufacturing firms are designing the parts and printing them out as they perceive they need to be in the entire system.

Medical Industry

3-D printing is moving towards the direction of medical applications. Researchers in the medical sector have begun establishing ways of using 3-D printers to create the artificial bones. However, the 3-D printing will have a wide application in the medical field. There are firms that are embarked on researching on organic materials printing to apply in several surgeries, as well as the replacement of the defective parts of the human body.

Case studies Or examples of Some Companies in the industry and success strategies

Shapeways is an example of a firm, which indicates the possibility of the industry getting to the great heights (Karin 1). The company is currently marketing different basic designs of the keepsakes that are customized through the use of the photographs or personalized text that customers supplies. Shapeways believes that a time is coming when its customers will get items that are customized to their specifications. Thus, customers will have the opportunity of not selecting a customized pattern of cutlery from the store, but design the same at home with the computer and print the resulting piece.

Another sector that has experienced significant growth is the 3-D printing of production parts (Leeper 45). Thus, users will not need to order and wait for the spare parts to arrive. Rather, users will have the opportunity to print the parts and get them. The mechanics will get a chance to retain the specs of all the sold cars in the database such that it will always be easy to print out without having much difficulty.

Conclusion

3D printing is gaining root in society. The number of different metal alloys that can be efficiently be printed by the 3D technologies are increasing. What was impossible through traditional manufacturing processes and design is now possible via the high-performance and lightweight process. Highly detailed and complex products for mechatronic, automotive, and aerospace industries will become available to enhance the entire process of production. Such will occur as the 3D printing takes root in the production of better units and products in different industries.

Works Cited

Attaran, Mohsen and Paisley Stidham. “The Coming Age of 3-D Printing.” Industrial Engineer: IE, vol. 49, no. 4, Apr. 2017, pp. 26-31.

Costello, Hecto. Global 3D printing market by type, technology used, process, industry, geography, trends, and forecast to 2022. Web. 16th May, 2018.

Docksai, Rick. ”3-D Printing Keeps Growing.” Futurist, vol. 48, no. 3, May/Jun2014, pp. 11 14.

”Five Things YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT...3D Printing.” Pcworld, vol. 31, no. 6, June 2013, p. 96

Hlavin, Matt. ”3-D Printing: The Next INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.” Appliance Design, vol. 62, no. 3, Mar. 2014, pp. 22-23.

Karin, Janice. The future of 3D printing. Web. 16th May, 2018.

Leeper, Angela. ”What Is the Future of 3D Printing?” Booklist, vol. 113, no. 7, 12/1/2016, p. 45.