The Future of Additive Manufacturing: Trends and Predictions

THE FUTURE OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
3D printing technology and its role in future manufacturing are grabbing the interest of industry experts. In terms of elevating future products, future additive manufacturing has a lot to offer the business. Additive manufacturing is developing and stretching its wings on a daily basis, becoming an integral part of every industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and more.

In this article, we'll shed some light on the 3D printing future trends, which will assist the business in deepening its impact across industries. Furthermore, we will explore whether the additive manufacturing business is worth investing in as well as who the major players are that have already invested in the future of 3D printing.

Future Trends in the Additive Manufacturing Industry


Enhanced Machine Connectivity

Making AM solutions (including software and hardware) easier to integrate and connect to the factory floor is one of the key AM trends we predict to advance in the coming years. It has been a long time since the AM hardware market has been filled with closed, or proprietary, systems. These systems generally function with materials and software given or approved by the machine OEM and are not easily integrated with third-party alternatives.

Closed systems are important for process dependability, but they also restrict collaboration and connectivity. Companies expanding their AM operations will need to connect their machines and software to their production environments. When it comes to additive manufacturing, using siloed solutions is a surefire way to fail. Importantly, we see hardware manufacturers increasingly focusing on solutions that can be integrated with the production floor.

For example, a 3D printing market leader like Stratasys is a good illustration of the trend. In December, the business announced an extension of its previously closed machines' connection.Consumers may now integrate and control their additive production using software programs of their choosing, not just Stratasys' systems. For AM facilities, system connectivity is no longer an option. It's exciting to see the AM industry players recognize and solve this requirement.

AM and AI Continue to Converge

AM growth is incorporating AI and machine learning. AI can help with material development, machine setup, part design, and workflow automation. So, in the future, we anticipate seeing more AI and AM technology integration.

Combined with AM systems, AI will improve process control and accuracy. For example, Inkbit is currently working on an AI-powered polymer vision system. This technology can scan 3D printing layers and anticipate material behavior during printing.
Generative design, already generally recognized as a key digital advance in AM, may tremendously benefit from AI and machine learning.

It has so far been utilized to improve load routes when strength and stiffness are dominant. It can also be utilized to optimize thermal or vibration. AI and machine learning will advance generative design, allowing new concepts to be completely suited to AM.While we may be a few years away from fully developing the capacity to automatically adapt designs to process, we anticipate significant breakthroughs this year that will bring us closer.

AM Will Drive Decentralization

In order to future-proof their supply chains, many manufacturers are following new supply chain models and technology that allow them to cut prices or switch goods more easily. Increasing flexibility and agility will necessitate distributed, localized production, assisted by additive manufacturing.To reduce the number of steps required to manufacture complex metal or polymer structures, shorten lead times, and enable digital inventory management, digital inventory management can be automated. These advantages make it ideal for the distributed manufacturing model. We believe that in the near future, more businesses will actively explore distributed manufacturing with AM.

According to a recent HP survey, 59% of organizations are now considering hybrid models, while 52% are looking into localized digital manufacturing.

3D Printing Future: Major Predictions

In Jabil's 2021 3D printing trends survey of over 300 decision-makers, 62% of participants claim their organization is actively using additive manufacturing for production of their product components, up from 27% in 2017. Many such manufacturers are on the lookout for the latest additive manufacturing trends and forecasts. So let's begin.

Increasing Flexibility and Customization

Customized goods are a popular consumer trend, impacting several sectors. Rather than buying a mass-produced item, customers are increasingly demanding a custom-made item that meets their specific needs.
Additive manufacturing's low-volume production capabilities simply enable personalization and customization.

3D printing allows for more responsive design options, particularly for additive manufacturing. Manufacturers can afford to make smaller batches, allowing designers and engineers to alter product ideas and develop them cost-effectively when inspiration strikes, the public mood is understood, or customer feedback drops in.

Materials Drive the Future of Digital

As the additive manufacturing ecosystem grows, the importance of materials cannot be overstated. Besides high equipment costs, materials and limited additive manufacturing ecosystems have hindered the 3D printing industry's growth. The market is flooded with 3D printing materials, but few are advanced enough to fulfill industry standards.Due to volume constraints in most sectors, suppliers and manufacturers aren't motivated to develop innovative materials for new uses. However, the future of 3D printing is in engineered and application-specific materials.

Various sectors have unique difficulties that demand unique solutions. New designed materials will revolutionize new uses, including highly regulated sectors. Industries will reward those who can promptly introduce 3D printing materials adapted to specific industrial and engineering needs. This will allow more 3D printing applications to be supplied and the whole digital manufacturing flywheel to start spinning.

3D Printing and a Sustainable Future

Finally, additive manufacturing promotes sustainability and conservation. Besides decreasing trash, 3D printing saves energy. The Metal Powder Industries Federation studied the difference between making truck gear using subtractive manufacturing (17 steps) and additive manufacturing (6 steps).

3D printing uses less than half the energy it takes to produce the same product. 3D printing also reduces the need for moving products and materials, reducing the amount of carbon emitted into the environment. So we can see that digital and additive solutions already contribute to a more sustainable future.

Is Investment in the Future of Additive Manufacturing Worth It?

In recent years, there has been an explosion of investment in industrial 3D printing. Hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed into the industry in recent years, assisting new businesses. Desktop Metal ($160 million), Markforged ($82 million), and 3D Hubs ($18 million) have all received significant funding in the past. According to a recent report and data analysis, the global additive manufacturing market will hit USD 26.68 billion by 2027. A rising level of government support for additive manufacturing across regions is driving market demand.

For example, America Makes, the foremost national initiative in the US since 2012 dedicated to additive manufacturing (3D printing future technology), received USD 90 million in support from the government, commercial, and non-profit sectors. Given the industry's expenditures and the expanding need for 3D printing, investing in the additive manufacturing industry or 3D printing is certainly encouraged.

Final Words

Additive manufacturing is being used in practically every industry, and companies are researching how technology might be used in their specific fields. The numerous advantages and sustainability that 3D printing provides are the major benefits that manufacturers and other industry professionals notice with 3D printing.Future manufacturing will be significantly more accurate and simple to run thanks to 3D printing technologies. Considering the trends and projections listed above, you may have a better understanding of 3D printing's future and make an informed investment decision.

FAQ


What is the future of 3D printing?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has the potential to empower everything from food to coral reefs. 3D printers may soon be seen in homes, companies, disaster zones, and perhaps even outer space.

Why is 3D printing important to society?

3D printing results in waste reduction and so eliminates the need for periodic waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. So it helps society with no carbon footprint.

Why is it known as additive manufacturing?

The term "additive manufacturing" refers to the fact that the building process adds layers rather than removes raw materials.

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Desktop Metal Launches Live Monitor™ for Users of Additive Manufacturing 2.0 Production Technology

Business Wire | October 04, 2023

Desktop Metal, Inc., a global leader in additive manufacturing technologies for mass production, today announced the launch of Live Monitor™ — a software application that provides useful real-time data from printing systems to improve efficiency and management of one printing system or a full fleet. Part of the Live Suite™ package of exclusive software offerings from Desktop Metal, Live Monitor provides easy access to system data from any web browser at any time. The new offering has helpful dashboards to manage a fleet or drill down on printer or furnace performance in ways that assist capacity planning, maintenance management, and more. Real-time information includes job and event status, time reporting, and consumable usage, among other key metrics. “At Desktop Metal, we’re committed to driving additive manufacturing into production, and Live Monitor is a vital tool for managing a single productive printing system, such as a Shop System and Furnace, or an entire fleet,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “Our goal is to help users improve their Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to optimize their utilization and scale their business with ease.” Italy-based Aidro, a pioneer in the volume production of next-generation hydraulic and fluid power systems through metal AM and traditional manufacturing technologies, has been a beta tester of Live Monitor for its Desktop Metal Shop System and Furnace for the past year. “Live Monitor is an essential tool for keeping the most important process variables under control and giving customers with critical parts, such as those in the energy industry, visibility and traceability of AM part production,” said Valeria Tirelli, President and CEO of Aidro, a subsidiary of Desktop Metal. Aidro will be exhibiting at ADIPEC, a global energy industry event, to be held in Abu Dhabi today through Oct. 5 in Booth M1 of the Manufacturing and Industrialization Hall. “The variables are visible, customizable, and recordable and this is the basis for having a qualified process. Thanks also to this tool, DNV has awarded Aidro AM manufacturer certification in accordance with the DNV-ST-B203 standard. Compared to other systems, Live Monitor can be customized in a simple and efficient way depending on the specific needs of the user.” An optional add-on feature in Live Suite, Live Monitor will be offered to users of the Studio, Shop, and Production System printers, along with Desktop Metal branded furnaces. The feature will also be rolled out in the future to users of other Desktop Metal and Team DM equipment sold under the ExOne, Desktop Health, and ETEC brands. About Desktop Metal Desktop Metal is driving Additive Manufacturing 2.0, a new era of on-demand, digital mass production of industrial, medical, and consumer products. Our innovative 3D printers, materials, and software deliver the speed, cost, and part quality required for this transformation. We’re the original inventors and world leaders of the 3D printing methods we believe will empower this shift, binder jetting and digital light processing. Today, our systems print metal, polymer, sand and other ceramics, as well as foam and recycled wood. Manufacturers use our technology worldwide to save time and money, reduce waste, increase flexibility, and produce designs that solve the world’s toughest problems and enable once-impossible innovations.

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Desktop Metal Launches Live Monitor™ for Users of Additive Manufacturing 2.0 Production Technology

Business Wire | October 04, 2023

Desktop Metal, Inc., a global leader in additive manufacturing technologies for mass production, today announced the launch of Live Monitor™ — a software application that provides useful real-time data from printing systems to improve efficiency and management of one printing system or a full fleet. Part of the Live Suite™ package of exclusive software offerings from Desktop Metal, Live Monitor provides easy access to system data from any web browser at any time. The new offering has helpful dashboards to manage a fleet or drill down on printer or furnace performance in ways that assist capacity planning, maintenance management, and more. Real-time information includes job and event status, time reporting, and consumable usage, among other key metrics. “At Desktop Metal, we’re committed to driving additive manufacturing into production, and Live Monitor is a vital tool for managing a single productive printing system, such as a Shop System and Furnace, or an entire fleet,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “Our goal is to help users improve their Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to optimize their utilization and scale their business with ease.” Italy-based Aidro, a pioneer in the volume production of next-generation hydraulic and fluid power systems through metal AM and traditional manufacturing technologies, has been a beta tester of Live Monitor for its Desktop Metal Shop System and Furnace for the past year. “Live Monitor is an essential tool for keeping the most important process variables under control and giving customers with critical parts, such as those in the energy industry, visibility and traceability of AM part production,” said Valeria Tirelli, President and CEO of Aidro, a subsidiary of Desktop Metal. Aidro will be exhibiting at ADIPEC, a global energy industry event, to be held in Abu Dhabi today through Oct. 5 in Booth M1 of the Manufacturing and Industrialization Hall. “The variables are visible, customizable, and recordable and this is the basis for having a qualified process. Thanks also to this tool, DNV has awarded Aidro AM manufacturer certification in accordance with the DNV-ST-B203 standard. Compared to other systems, Live Monitor can be customized in a simple and efficient way depending on the specific needs of the user.” An optional add-on feature in Live Suite, Live Monitor will be offered to users of the Studio, Shop, and Production System printers, along with Desktop Metal branded furnaces. The feature will also be rolled out in the future to users of other Desktop Metal and Team DM equipment sold under the ExOne, Desktop Health, and ETEC brands. About Desktop Metal Desktop Metal is driving Additive Manufacturing 2.0, a new era of on-demand, digital mass production of industrial, medical, and consumer products. Our innovative 3D printers, materials, and software deliver the speed, cost, and part quality required for this transformation. We’re the original inventors and world leaders of the 3D printing methods we believe will empower this shift, binder jetting and digital light processing. Today, our systems print metal, polymer, sand and other ceramics, as well as foam and recycled wood. Manufacturers use our technology worldwide to save time and money, reduce waste, increase flexibility, and produce designs that solve the world’s toughest problems and enable once-impossible innovations.

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BizLink counts on Rapid Prototyping with the help of 3D printing technology

PR Newswire | November 03, 2023

BizLink, a leading provider of connectivity solutions worldwide, uses a method for creating physical prototypes with computer-aided design (CAD) data. This so called 'Rapid Prototyping' enables development times to be shortened, costs to be lowered and innovative ideas to be realised more quickly. BizLink's Automation & Drives business unit will showcase one of these solutions at the sps trade fair in Nuremberg, Southern Germany, which takes place from 14 to 16 November. In the development and production of individual injection moulded parts, a large part of the cost and time is spent on providing the appropriate tools. That is why BizLink uses Rapid Prototyping for sample parts in the development phase of overmoulded connection components. The principal objective of this technology involves testing and validating design concepts, functionality and features before there is any investment in series production. Through Rapid Prototyping, BizLink thus reduces development costs and time-to-market for overmoulded components and its reinforced innovative cable systems for factory automation. Rapid Prototyping involves applying layer upon layer of materials or bonding them to one another with 3D printing to make the desired object. This makes it possible to quickly adapt the design as changes can easily be made in the CAD data and the prototype can then be reprinted. It also allows, for example, the spatial conditions during fitting and operation under real-life conditions to be assessed, letting the findings thereby acquired be incorporated in product improvement before a tool-maker has even started his or her job. 3D printing technology can furthermore make valuable contributions to quality assurance while development is ongoing. If, for instance, parts being tested must be scrutinised to limit failure mechanisms along functional boundaries, it helps to be able to quickly create a matching testing device for such investigations. In some cases, such devices also facilitate good reproducibility, meaning that dependable component qualifications can also be carried out in this way. Other applications involve trialling numerous production resources and tools as well as handling aids that are, with respect to their function and ergonomics, initially tested as a 3D-printed specimen and improved repeatedly so that they can later be reproduced in a more robust version made of metal, for example. Rapid prototyping is versatile and has long been a proven tool for BizLink in the innovation process to bring new products to market faster and more effectively. Visitors to sps can convince themselves of these advantages through application examples in the Nuremberg exhibition halls from November 14 to 16, 2023 in Hall 2, Stand 431.

Read More

Additive Manufacturing

BMW Partners Desktop Metal for Reduced Emission, Uses Binder Jetting

Desktop Metal | September 20, 2023

Desktop Metal, a global leader in Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies, has released a video highlighting how the BMW Group employs ExOne binder jet 3D printers for the serial production of powertrain components. The use of binder jet 3D printing for casting applications is a sustainable choice, with advantages like reduced waste, cost-efficiency, and flexibility in materials. It aligns with efforts to minimize environmental impact and reduce emissions. BMW and ExOne, a brand under Desktop Metal, have collaborated for over two decades on various project developments. The automaker currently utilizes four ExOne Exerial binder jet 3D printing systems to produce water jacket cores for metalcasting in serial production. These systems operate continuously at high speeds, with two more slated for delivery. The setup includes a microwave, a desanding station, and a fully automated conveyor system, ensuring high-accuracy parts. The key points to be noted from this video release are: Desktop Metal's ExOne digital casting brand manufactures binder jet 3D printers for sand castings. BMW Landshut uses a fleet of four ExOne 3D printers for serial production of cores made with inorganic compounds that produce no aromas or emissions. Binder injection technology from ExOne enables the delivery of complex designs for cast aluminum powertrain components. Binder jetting is employed in this process, where an industrial printhead deposits a binder selectively into a bed of powder materials, creating a solid part layer by layer. For sand casting, the sand part is removed and used in a mold package for casting molten metal. This technology is favored for its speed, minimal waste, cost-efficiency, and material flexibility, making it an environmentally sustainable production method. The partnership showcases how advanced manufacturing technologies, like binder jet 3D printing, are used to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the production of critical automotive components. The technology's ability to produce parts with high accuracy at high speeds makes it a valuable asset in the automotive manufacturing process. About Desktop Metal Desktop Metal is at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing 2.0 in a new era characterized by on-demand, digital mass production of industrial, medical, and consumer goods. Its innovative 3D printers, software, and materials suite are engineered to meet the speed, cost efficiency, and part quality demands inherent to this transformative shift. Its systems can 3D print various materials, including polymer, metal, ceramics, foam, sand, and recycled wood. It streamlines operations, minimizes waste, reduces costs, enhances adaptability, and brings designs that tackle some of the intricate challenges to life.

Read More

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