Additive Manufacturing Gears Up for Increased Volume Production and Specialized Materials

Recently, Protolabs released a comprehensive report shedding light on the latest trends within the additive manufacturing market, spanning uses, innovations, and key statistics. According to the report, the printing market is projected to soar to $28.07 billion by 2024 and a staggering $57.1 billion by 2028, showcasing a growth rate surpassing previous estimations by 10.5%. This surge is particularly welcome news for an industry that has weathered its share of challenges in recent times. Furthermore, the study underscores the increasing prevalence and acceptance of mass production employing 3D technologies—a trend that hardly comes as a surprise. Noteworthy among the emerging trends highlighted in the report are the advancements in artificial intelligence, the advent of novel materials, and the integration of additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques.

While the sector has seen some downturns of late, it would appear that growth is still positive, driven in particular by verticals that are still dynamic and full of opportunities. One example is the medical sector. According to the findings of the Protolabs study, a significant 77% of respondents identify the medical sector as holding the greatest potential impact within the market. Within this sector, SLA 3D printing dominates, offering the capability to produce intricate, high-fidelity details with remarkable precision. Additionally, noteworthy is the notable surge in additive manufacturing utilization within the agriculture sector, primarily leveraging FDM technology. Moreover, the transportation sector emerges as the leading producer of 3D printed finished parts.

Industries where additive manufacturing is expected to have the greatest impact (Photo Credits: Protolabs)

If we now turn our attention to the applications of additive manufacturing, the Protolabs report is clear: the trend is towards the creation of finished parts in higher volumes. While prototyping remains high (67%), 76% of participants say they have 3D printed more than 10 parts, a figure that was only 36% in 2020. The study shows that more and more professionals are turning to additive manufacturing, whatever the process, to create parts in volume, whereas previously, injection molding was preferred.