The State of 3D Printing 2017: Sculpteo’s In-Depth Report Unveils Key Industry Trends and Growth

In a pivotal moment for the additive manufacturing industry, Sculpteo, a prominent 3D printing service company, proudly released the third edition of its highly anticipated annual publication, “The State of 3D Printing 2017.” This comprehensive report serves as a vital barometer for the industry, meticulously tracking the latest trends, strategic shifts, and insightful developments. Its primary objective is to illuminate the significant growth and evolution that the world of additive manufacturing has experienced, providing a detailed snapshot of its current landscape and future trajectory. By compiling extensive data and expert analysis, Sculpteo offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of this rapidly expanding technological sector.

The core philosophy behind this annual publication is eloquently captured by Sculpteo’s statement: “Our annual State of 3D Printing is an opportunity for Sculpteo to collect data about the additive manufacturing industry. In this year’s edition, our principal aim is to give you the keys to understand what is at stake in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.” This mission underscores the report’s role in equipping businesses, innovators, and enthusiasts with the knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities and capitalize on the opportunities within 3D printing. It’s more than just a collection of statistics; it’s a guide to strategic decision-making in a market characterized by continuous innovation and transformation.

To ensure a broad and representative understanding of the industry, Sculpteo’s 2017 report gathered insights from over 1,000 key players and stakeholders across various sectors. These participants were carefully categorized to reveal the diverse applications and widespread adoption of 3D printing technology. The survey results provided a fascinating breakdown of industry engagement: consumer goods and industrial goods sectors each represented a significant 17% of respondents, highlighting the technology’s dual impact on both B2C and B2B markets. High-tech industries followed closely at 13%, demonstrating the crucial role of additive manufacturing in advanced technological development. The service industry accounted for 9%, reflecting the growing ecosystem of specialized 3D printing services. Health sector applications made up 7%, underscoring the revolutionary potential in medical and dental fields. Higher education contributed 6%, emphasizing research and development. Specialized sectors like aeronautics and aerospace (4%), electronics and electric (7%), mechanics and metal (5%), and automotive (5%) also featured prominently, showcasing 3D printing’s integration into highly specialized and critical manufacturing processes. This diverse participation paints a vivid picture of 3D printing’s pervasive influence across virtually every major industrial domain.

Among the most compelling revelations of the 2017 report was the clear indication of tangible financial returns on investment (ROI) in 3D printing. A remarkable 47% of participants reported seeing a direct return on their investments in additive manufacturing technology, a significant uplift from previous years. This surge in reported ROI signals a maturation of the market, moving beyond experimental adoption towards a proven, value-generating technology. Furthermore, an overwhelming 90% of surveyed businesses firmly believe that integrating 3D printing capabilities provides them with a distinct competitive advantage. This advantage extends across various aspects of their operations, from accelerating product development and rapid prototyping to enabling bespoke customization and optimizing manufacturing workflows. Such widespread belief in its strategic importance firmly establishes 3D printing not merely as an innovative tool, but as a vital, integral component of modern business strategy and manufacturing processes. These conclusions collectively underscore a critical phase of growth and solidifies 3D printing’s position as a game-changer in the global industrial landscape.

Respondents show less interest in buying a 3D printer, which means they still prefer to use external 3D printing services to produce and manufacture their products.

While the benefits of 3D printing are widely recognized, the report also highlighted a nuanced approach to adoption: a noticeable preference among respondents for leveraging external 3D printing services rather than investing in in-house equipment. This trend suggests that many businesses, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), find greater value in outsourcing their additive manufacturing needs. The reasons are multifaceted: it can mitigate the substantial upfront capital expenditure of purchasing industrial-grade 3D printers, reduce the complexities associated with maintaining sophisticated machinery, and eliminate the need for specialized in-house expertise. This preference also allows companies to tap into a wider array of technologies and materials offered by service bureaus without committing to a single system. This insight is particularly encouraging for 3D printing service providers, indicating a robust and expanding market for their specialized offerings, as companies prioritize agility and access to cutting-edge technology without the full ownership burden.

Delving into the realm of printing materials, the Sculpteo report provided a clear hierarchy of usage. Unsurprisingly, plastic continues its reign as the most widely adopted material, utilized by an impressive 88% of respondents. Its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use make it the go-to choice for a vast array of applications, from prototyping to end-use parts. Following plastic, resins secured a significant 35% usage rate, valued for their ability to produce highly detailed and smooth surface finishes, commonly seen in applications like jewelry and dental models. Metals, despite their higher cost and complexity, were used by 28% of participants, highlighting their growing importance for functional parts in demanding industries. Sand/powder multicolor materials were used by 15%, showcasing the creative potential for aesthetic and architectural models. Ceramic materials, offering unique properties such as heat resistance, accounted for 8%, while ‘other’ materials made up 4%, hinting at emerging and niche applications. This material landscape is intrinsically linked to the popularity of specific 3D printing technologies. In line with these material preferences, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology still commands the largest share, favored by 36% of users due to its accessibility and widespread availability. Other significant technologies include Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), known for producing strong, complex parts; Stereolithography (SLA), renowned for precision and smooth finishes; Multijet/Polyjet, which allows for multi-material and full-color printing; and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), a crucial technology for high-performance metal components. This detailed breakdown provides a comprehensive overview of the material and technology ecosystem driving the 3D printing industry forward.

A focused examination of metal 3D printing, a segment of increasing strategic importance, yielded specific insights into material preferences and perceived benefits. Aluminum emerged as the most recommended material for metal additive manufacturing, cited by a robust 62% of respondents. Its lightweight properties, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and good thermal conductivity make it an ideal choice for aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics applications where performance and efficiency are paramount. Stainless steel followed as the second most preferred metal, with 22% of recommendations, valued for its corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for medical, industrial, and consumer product manufacturing. The primary appeals driving the adoption of 3D metal printing were clearly identified: significant cost reduction, particularly for complex geometries and low-volume production runs; the unparalleled ability to produce small batches or even single, highly customized parts economically; and the capacity to create designs with previously unattainable levels of complexity, allowing for optimized internal structures and integrated functionalities. These factors underscore metal 3D printing’s transformative impact on engineering and product design, enabling innovations that were once considered impossible.

Assessing the skill level of individuals engaging with 3D printing technology, the report offered a valuable perspective on the industry’s accessibility and growth potential. The results indicated that 40% of respondents identified themselves as beginners, signifying a large influx of new users and a continuous expansion of the user base. Another 40% categorized themselves as intermediate users, suggesting a substantial segment of individuals who have moved beyond initial experimentation and are actively integrating 3D printing into their professional or personal projects. This distribution highlights a healthy learning curve within the industry, with a steady progression from novice to more proficient users. A key takeaway from the report, with profound implications for the future, is the widespread belief among respondents that the lowering costs of the technology will have the biggest impact on the growth of 3D printing in the future. This sentiment points to a future where more affordable hardware, materials, and software will democratize access to additive manufacturing, enabling a wider range of businesses and individuals to adopt and innovate with the technology. This accessibility will likely spur further creativity, expand application areas, and accelerate the overall market’s trajectory.

The rapid pace of innovation within additive manufacturing is a constant theme, and Sculpteo’s report emphasizes this dynamism. “3D printing is a very innovative sector where technologies change fast. Comparing this year’s trends with last year’s results is a good way to understand the changes this industry is going through.” This continuous evolution makes annual reports like “The State of 3D Printing” indispensable. They not only capture current statistics but also provide a historical context, allowing stakeholders to identify emerging patterns, understand market shifts, and anticipate future developments. By offering this comparative analysis, Sculpteo empowers its audience to adapt their strategies, invest wisely, and stay ahead in a market that is constantly redefining its boundaries.

The “State of 3D Printing 2017” report from Sculpteo offers a comprehensive and invaluable resource for anyone vested in the future of additive manufacturing. Its findings paint a clear picture of an industry undergoing significant growth, marked by increasing ROI, widespread competitive advantage, evolving material preferences, and a strong reliance on external service providers. The report ultimately underscores the transformative power of 3D printing and its undeniable trajectory towards greater accessibility and broader adoption, driven significantly by anticipated cost reductions. For those eager to delve deeper into these crucial insights and gain a complete understanding of the industry’s landscape, the full report is available for free access here.

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