U.S. 3D Printer Shipments Grew Nearly 20% in 2015 with Double-Digit Growth Expected Through 2020

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A newly published forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that 3D printer shipments in the United States grew by almost 20% in 2015 compared to 2014. Moreover, total 3D printer shipments in the U.S. are expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 16% through 2020.

"People and companies that are adopting 3D printers are routinely realizing tremendous time and cost savings in their product creation and development cycles. As printer speeds increase and the range of materials expands, a growing number of products and parts, and therefore markets, will be impacted by 3D printing/additive manufacturing," said Tim Greene, research director, Hardcopy Solutions. "Already the 3D printer mix in the U.S. has changed over the last 12-24 months. While there are still a lot of shipments into the DIY/consumer market, tremendous growth remains in the segments with a more professional and manufacturing orientation. Leading 3D printer manufacturers are adopting new processes throughout their operations to reposition their businesses for this change."

Segment Highlights

• Shipments in the very low-end, where 3D printers sell for below $1,000, are still projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 12% through 2020. These printers, nearly all of which are FFF/FDM-based, are becoming more useful with the expansion of materials that can be reliably 3D printed.
• IDC expects strong growth (20% and more) in professional 3D printer segments, which rely on a range of technologies that provide more accurate and durable 3D prints, often at much higher rates of speed.
• Shipments at the very high-end of the market, which are primarily based on materials jetting and sintering/melting technologies, are expected to grow at an aggressive rate over the next few years as a growing number of companies use these systems for high volumes of professional prototypes and on-demand parts manufacturing.

Technology Highlights

• FFF/FDM printers accounted for over 75% of total shipments in 2015, but by 2020 IDC expects this segment will make up less than 60% of total shipments.
• 3D printers based on Stereolithography (SLA) are expected to go from about 11% of total shipments in the U.S. in 2015 to over 20% by 2020.
• Sintering/Melting technologies are seeing dynamic growth over the forecast period as existing users increase their investments in these technologies at the high-end while new market entries are lowering the cost to invest in these technologies, democratizing the ability to produce high quality and highly durable 3D builds.
• Mcor’s Select Deposition Lamination (SDL) 3D printer technology has been repositioned at a lower price point, which should drive higher shipment levels across a wide range of vertical segments.
• Materials jetting is another of the most dynamic technology segments. Over the forecast period, this segment is expected to be spurred by worldwide 3D printing market leaders 3D Systems and Stratasys, now joined by HP.

"The growth of the 3D printer hardware market is just part of the total 3D printing/additive manufacturing picture," added Greene. "Printer hardware revenue combined with the expansion of 3D printing services and the consumption of materials already represent a $2.5 billion market in the U.S. in 2015, and that is expected to grow at a rate of more than 20% through 2020."

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company.