3D Printer Market Set for Rapid Growth
September 29, 2015 | Gartner, Inc.Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Worldwide shipments of 3D printers will reach 496,475 units in 2016, up 103 percent from the predicted 244,533 units in 2015, according to Gartner, Inc.'s latest forecast. 3D printer shipments are forecast to more than double every year between 2016 and 2019, by which time worldwide shipments are expected to reach more than 5.6 million.
"Rapid quality and performance innovations across all 3D printer technologies are driving both enterprise and consumer demand, with unit shipment growth rates for 3D printers increasing significantly," said Pete Basiliere, research vice president at Gartner. "The 3D printer market is continuing its transformation from a niche market to broad-based, global market of enterprises and consumers."
Seven technologies constitute the 3D printer market, with material extrusion forecast to lead 2015 shipments at 232,336 units, increasing to 5,527,493 units in 2019 (97.5 percent of the total) largely due to the sales of low cost, entry-level material extrusion printers.
Average selling prices (ASPs) vary by technology and market. Each market has different dynamics, including the mix of devices, prices and buyer requirements that drive the average for all 3D printers in a given technology. Directed-energy deposition printers are the most highly priced, followed by powder bed fusion printers.
Worldwide shipments by price band are affected by the 3D printer technologies represented within them. Of particular note are the up-to-$1,000 and $1,001-to-$2,500 bands, which are dominated by material extrusion devices. 3D printers costing less than $1,000 will make up 25.5 percent of the total of these two price bands in 2015, but will grow to 40.7 percent of the $1-to-$2,500 range by 2019.
The primary market drivers for consumer 3D printers costing under $2,500 are not household purchases but acquisitions of low-cost devices by schools and universities. The primary enterprise 3D printer market drivers are the finished-piece quality and material advances.
"Enterprise 3D printers can not only prototype new products and produce tools and fixtures that are used to make other items, but also print high-quality, short-run finished goods,” said Mr. Basiliere. “This multifaceted ability is driving their growth worldwide."
More detailed analysis is available in the report "Forecast: 3D Printers, Worldwide, 2015."
Trends in 3D printing will be further discussed at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2015, October 4-8 in Orlando, Florida.
About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the world's most important gathering of CIOs and other senior IT executives. This event delivers independent and objective content with the authority of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization, and provides access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees' annual planning efforts. IT executives rely on these events to gain insight into how their organizations can use IT to overcome business challenges and improve operational efficiency.
Suggested Items
Commercial Demand Continues to Be the Main Driver of Personal Computing Device Shipments into the GCC Region
03/26/2024 | IDCThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) personal computing device (PCD) market, which is made up of desktops, notebooks, and workstations, declined 4.0% year on year in 2023, with high inventory levels and reduced consumer spending the primary causes.
Suppliers Aim to Raise Contract Prices, But With Uncertain Demand, 2Q24 DRAM Price Increase Expected to Narrow to 3–8%
03/26/2024 | TrendForceTrendForce’s latest report reveals that despite DRAM suppliers’ efforts to trim inventories, they have yet to reach healthy ranges. As they continue to improve their lose situations by boosting capacity utilization rates, the overall demand outlook for this year remains tepid.
LPKF Reports Strategic Successes and Narrowly Achieves Forecast for 2023 Financial Year
03/26/2024 | LPKFLPKF Laser & Electronics SE generated revenue of EUR 124.3 million in the financial year (previous year: EUR 123.7 million) and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of EUR 3.7 million (previous year: EUR 6.8 million), putting the EBIT margin at 3.0% (previous year: 5.5%).
Arlon EMD and EMC Announce Expansion in California
03/25/2024 | Arlon EMDArlon EMD, a division of Elite Materials Company (EMC), announces a factory expansion at the Rancho Cucamonga, CA location. Arlon is a global leader in high performance thermoset substrates for mission critical printed circuit boards manufactured for high endurance and long-life programs. Arlon has a 45-year history of manufacturing specialty materials for the Aerospace, Industrial and Military (AIM) markets.
Intraratio Enhances MES + Yield / IoT Management with New Advanced Manufacturing Analytics
03/22/2024 | IntraratioIntraratio announced AICard, which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to empower manufacturers to make informed decisions quickly and accurately regarding product quality and manufacturing line performance and optimization.