Report: AM Transition to Full-Scale Digital Manufacturing Brings Pitfalls, Opportunities
September 4, 2019Comments
As 3D printing previously transitioned from prototyping and tinkering to low-volume production, the industry is in the midst of another: from low-volume production to full-scale digital manufacturing. That is a major takeaway from Additive Action: 3D Printing as an Accelerator for Digital Manufacturing, an executive briefing from market-intelligence firm Quocirca.
The report examines developments in the 3D printing market—showing that the technology can compete with traditional manufacturing methods for certain applications—and identifies the opportunities, pitfalls and potential of 3D printing as a key enabler of Industry 4.0. Market challenges include regulatory uncertainty and the need for a qualified talent pool.
The briefing explains the history of 3D printing technology and the evolution of market demand. It looks at the current and likely future impact of the entry of major conventional print-industry players into the market, their strategies, and the ways in which the development of new partner ecosystems are driving innovation at pace and scale.
“3D printing is entering a new era,” explains Louella Fernandes, research director at Quocirca. “While other Industry 4.0 technologies such as automation and robotics will make industrial processes more efficient, 3D printing has the potential to restructure them entirely. We are now seeing major industry players entering the market to seize a potentially multi-trillion dollar opportunity, and this will accelerate progress to the point where it can effectively compete with conventional manufacturing.”
A complimentary executive summary and table of contents is available.
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