Hobbyist Pastime or Industrial Evolution? IDTechEx Explores the Maturing 3D Printing Industry

BOSTON, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of hype, the 3D printing industry has moved onto a more critical examination of the value-add that effective additive manufacturing adoption brings to businesses and supply chains. In a recent episode on 3D printing, the technology innovation podcast 'Tomorrow's Tech by IDTechEx' explored the history and benefits of this versatile technology, which has existed for over 30 years yet is still finding new applications and end-users in many major sectors.

 

 

Commercial uses

Exciting prospects for 3D printing are making the news, as large companies such as Apple are reportedly using it to make metal frames for smart watches, employing specifically a process called binder jetting. IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Sona Dadhania states that although it is unclear to what extent Apple has been using binder jetting, it has made a huge wave in the 3D printing industry.

Powder bed technology has been adopted for more commercial cases, used to make custom footwear for athletes. Using an energy source like a laser, particles can selectively be melted on a powder bed to create the desired shape and built up to create the desired structure. Specific measurements of the foot are used to make the lattice structure of custom shoes and allow the soles to conform to the foot for comfort while exercising.

Industry and repairs

The automotive and general manufacturing industries also benefit from this powder-bed method, with speed and efficiency at the heart of its process. Replacement parts for vehicles and machines can be produced with precision and done anywhere worldwide. While part manufacturing used to be confined to major manufacturing countries, such as China, 3D printing is not confined by geography and, in this way, can be more cost-effective and more reliant. In their research on 3D printing, IDTechEx predicts the 3D printing market to surpass US$44bn by 2034.

On-demand repairs in far-out environments or remote locations could be another strength for 3D printing. As 3D printing can produce spare parts quickly, rather than having to wait for parts to be sent out, the right equipment could be produced on-site. This will be particularly useful in energy industries, such as oil and gas, and renewable energy.