New Trend Forecast Released: 3D Printing's Imminent Impact on Manufacturing

A Look at Some of the Findings

(Survey findings: Data Collection, Survey administrator: SMS Research Advisors, Methodology: Online, Timeframe: April 10 to May 1, 2015, Survey length: 36 questions, Database: Industry list of approx. 40,000 email addresses aggregated from multiple sources, Completed interviews: 700, Statistical accuracy: +/-3.8%)

• Most significant benefits of using AM are more complex design capabilities, reduced lead time for parts, and improvements in manufacturing efficiency. Benefits to outsourcing AM are access to advanced equipment and materials, less investment risk, produce parts not able to be manufactured internally and access to AM expertise.

• Two of the top four challenges are financially-based, indicating that cost remains a notable barrier to implementation. Issues having the greatest impact on the AM market range from cost of equipment and mechanical properties to materials available and design accuracy. Interestingly, employee training and education did not come up high on the list.

• When it comes to scaling capabilities and the role of the AM service provider, it was found that consumer and energy industries are most likely to grow outsourced AM, and aerospace and medical industries are most likely to grow in-house AM.

• Changes in AM applications by 2018 include aerospace and automotive industries expanding their end-use part production the most, and a higher percentage of new end-use part production will be outsourced to service providers rather than done in-house.

• Respondents want to see further development with metals. This is highly-coveted across all industries, with 84% of respondents interested in seeing more metal material developments. Rubber-like materials and high-temperature plastics are in high demand for future use as well.

• The forecast for process growth according to respondents finds that laser sintering and additive metal processes are prime for future growth, with additive metal use expected to nearly double over the next 3 years. This market is more likely to turn to service providers rather than buy equipment because it can require additional equipment and a team for post processing.