The 3D printing process was invented by Chuck Hill in 1983, called “stereolithography” as a technique for building solid entities by sequentially printing thin films of ultraviolet material onto one another. This technique laid the foundations for the current 3D printing scenario. The modern definition of 3D printing can be defined as an additive engineering process to generate a physical entity from a digital source or design. Today, there are various 3D materials and technologies available on the market, but they all follow the same standardized procedure: a solid material from a digital design by adding consecutive layers. A typical 3D print started with the formation of a digitized design file from a physical entity. The next step varies depending on the technology and material used, starting with the system printers to melt the material and place it on the build platform. The time is highly dependent on print size and often post-processing events. Common printing techniques include fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, digital light processing, selective laser sintering, binder jetting, and metal printing (selective laser melting and electron beam melting). . The materials for printing vary according to the printing options, from rubber, plastics (polyamide, ABS, PLA and LayWood), ceramics, biomaterials, sandstone, metals and alloys (titanium, aluminum, steel, cobalt-chrome and nickel).
3D printing is advantageous in that it offers the construction of complex designs that cannot be produced by traditional methods, product customization without additional details or tools, and without additional prices, and creates hope for entrepreneurs or designers in cost-effective production for proofing. market. or other needs. In addition, the traditional methods of manufacturing a body generate an enormous amount of raw material waste, for example, the manufacture of brackets wastes almost 90% of the raw material. On the other hand, the 3D printing manufacturing process involves minimal material waste and can be recycled in the next cycle.
However, the concept of 3D modeling is often associated with drawbacks such as high cost of mass production, restricted strength and durability, and lower quality resolution. Furthermore, there are more than 500 3D printing materials available on the market, most of which are made of plastics and metals. However, due to rapid technological advancement, the amount of materials is rapidly increasing and comprises of wood, composites, meat, chocolates, etc.
As exemplified by public sources, by 2027, one tenth of the world’s output will be 3D printed. Consequently, the cost of printers will drop from $18,000 USD to $400 USD in the next 10 years. Therefore, several companies have started their 3D printed production, such as dominant shoe companies and in aircraft construction. Evolving technology will create a scenario where smartphones have been reinforced with a scanner that enables anything at home to be built, for example, China has created an entire 6-story building by using 3D printing technology.
3D printing has diverse applications in the medical, manufacturing, sociocultural, and industrial fields. Based on manufacturing applications, the field is divided into agile tools, food, research, prototyping, cloud-based additives, and mass customization. Depending on the medical application, the field is distributed in bioprinting devices and medicines. For example, in August 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a 3D-printed surgical pin device called the “FastForward Bone Tether Plate” for the treatment of bunions. Furthermore, in May 2017, researcher at the Max Plank Institute for Intelligent Systems, Germany, developed a micromachine, called microswimmers, by using 3D printer technology from Nanoscribe GmBH, to precisely deliver drugs to the site of infection. and be able to control them. inside the body. Various industries have adopted 3D printing technology to manufacture their products. For example, Airbus SAS, France, stated that its product, the Airbus A350 XWB, contains more than 100 3D printed components. Astronautical industries have developed a 3D printer through the collaboration of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Made In Space, Inc. to print in zero gravity.
it’s market
The global 3D printing market is projected to reach USD XX by 2022, from XX in 2015 to a CAGR of XX% from 2016 to 2022 according to the latest updated report available at DecisionDatabases.com. The market is segmented based on printer type, media type, media form, software, service, technology, process, vertical, application, and geography.
Based on the type of printer, the market is segmented into desktop 3D printers and industrial printers. Based on the type of material, the market is segmented into plastics, metals, ceramics, and others (wax, plywood, paper, biomaterials). Based on the form of the material, the market is segmented based on filament, powder, and liquid. Based on software, the market is segmented based on design software, inspection software, printer software, and scanning software. On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modelling, Selective Laser Sintering, Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Inkjet Printing, Electron Beam Fusing, Laser Deposition metalworking, digital light processing and the manufacture of laminated objects. Based on process, the market is segmented into binder jetting, direct energy deposition, material extrusion, material jetting, powder bed fusion, vat light-curing, and sheet lamination. Depending on the vertical, the market is segmented into automotive, health, architecture and construction, consumer products, education, industry, energy, printed electronics, jewelry, food and gastronomy, aerospace and defense, among others. Based on the application, the market is segmented based on prototyping, tooling, and functional parts.
By geography, the market is segmented on the basis of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.
Factors such as high investment in research and development (R&D), low raw material waste, and ease of building custom products drive market growth. However, factors like restricted printer availability, high price of materials, and shortage of trained professionals impede the growth of the market.
