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3D Printing Metals 2018-2028

Technology and Market Analysis

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After initial commercialisation in the 1990s, 3D printing metals has witnessed a flurry of interest in recent years. Key players have been quick to capitalise on this demand, enjoying exponential revenue growth since 2013 as a result. The expiration of several key powder bed fusion patents in 2016 will almost certainly drive down printer prices, which, combined with market consolidation in the form of a number of high profile acquisitions, suggests this emerging technology is now showing signs of maturity. However, at this stage it would be a mistake to underestimate the enormous potential for innovation in 3D printing of metals.
 
In 2017, several companies launched new printer technologies with the promise of overcoming some of the existing barriers to adoption, such as lower printer prices, faster build speeds, cheaper materials, and more. Increasing throughput and streamlining production efficiencies will drive demand growth for printers and materials substantially.
 
Given these market trends, IDTechEx forecasts that the global market for 3D printing metals will reach a value of $12 billion by the year 2028.
 
 
Source IDTechEx
 
Technology and Applications
In 2017, the 3D printing metals market comprises multiple different printer technologies. This report takes an in-depth look into established printer types such as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and Binder Jetting. Key technological capabilities, applicable markets, SWOT analyses and key manufacturers are discussed for each established printer type. In addition, nascent printer technologies that will be commercialised in 2017 are introduced, and their technological capabilities evaluated.
 
This report provides a detailed overview of currently supported materials for 3D printing metals, assessing production methods, raw material requirements across different printer types and their potential applications. In addition, novel methods for creating new materials for 3D printing metals are discussed.
 
Market analysis
This report forecasts the overall 3D printing metals market to 2028, with in depth discussion of currently commercialised and emerging printer technologies. The current state of the printers and materials market is analysed, and long-range forecasts from 2018-2028 for installed base, units sold and revenue per annum segmented by printer type and material are evaluated.
 
IDTechEx conducted exhaustive primary research with companies positioned throughout the entire 3D printing value chain for key insights into the trends impacting growth to 2028. Over 30 company profiles have been included in the report including EOS, Concept Laser GmbH and Arcam AB, amongst others.
 
Key questions that are answered in this report
  • What are the current and emerging printer technology types in 2017?
  • How do metrics such as price, build speed, build volume and precision vary by printer type?
  • What materials are currently supported by different printer technology types?
  • Who are the key suppliers of metal powders for 3D printing metals?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of different powder manufacturing methods?
  • What is the current installed base of 3D metal printers?
  • What is the price range of 3D metal printers by technology type?
  • What are the market shares of those active in the market?
  • What are the key drivers and restraints of market growth?
  • How will sales of different printer types evolve from 2018 to 2028?
Analyst access from IDTechEx
All report purchases include up to 30 minutes telephone time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing. This needs to be used within three months of purchasing the report.
Further information
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1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1.Why metal 3D printing?
1.2.Drivers and restraints
1.3.Evaluation of powder manufacturing techniques
1.4.Procurement of metal powders for AM
1.5.Mergers and acquisitions in metal 3D printing
1.6.Capital investment activity
1.7.Installed base by printer type in 2016
1.8.Installed base supply forecast
1.9.Metal powder revenue forecast
1.10.Combined printers and materials revenue forecast
2.INTRODUCTION
2.1.Introduction to metal 3D printing
2.2.History of metal additive manufacturing
2.3.Why metal 3D printing?
2.4.Drivers and restraints
2.5.Future of 3D printing applications
3.PRINTING PROCESSES
3.1.Common acronyms and definitions
3.2.Powder bed fusion - Direct Metal Laser Sintering
3.2.1.Overview
3.2.2.Key providers
3.2.3.SWOT analysis
3.3.Powder bed fusion - Electron Beam Melting
3.3.1.Overview
3.3.2.Key providers
3.3.3.SWOT analysis
3.4.Directed Energy Deposition - Blown Powder
3.4.1.Overview
3.4.2.Key providers
3.4.3.SWOT analysis
3.5.Directed Energy Deposition - Welding
3.5.1.Overview
3.5.2.Welding: Rapid Plasma Deposition
3.5.3.Key providers
3.5.4.SWOT analysis
3.6.Direct binder jetting - Metal + binder
3.6.1.Overview
3.6.2.Key providers
3.6.3.SWOT analysis
3.7.Indirect binder jetting - Sand + binder
3.7.1.Overview
3.7.2.Key providers
3.7.3.SWOT analysis
3.8.Ultrasonic additive manufacturing
3.8.1.Overview
3.8.2.Key providers
3.8.3.SWOT analysis
4.EMERGING PRINTING PROCESSES
4.1.Metal + polymer filament extrustion
4.2.Liquid metal deposition
4.3.Microfluidic electroplating
4.4.Metal DLP and sintering
4.5.Nanoparticle jetting
5.PROPERTIES OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PRINTERS
5.1.Price versus precision
5.2.Price versus speed
5.3.Price versus volume
5.4.Speed versus volume
5.5.Speed versus precision
5.6.Precision versus volume
6.PRINTER MATERIALS
6.1.Particle morphology requirements
6.2.Water or gas atomisation
6.3.Plasma atomisation
6.4.Electrochemical atomisation
6.5.Evaluation of powder manufacturing techniques
6.6.Supported materials
6.7.Procurement of metal powders for AM
6.8.Barriers and limitations to using metal powders
6.9.Aluminium and alloys
6.10.Copper and bronze
6.11.Cobalt and alloys
6.12.Nickel alloy: Inconel 625
6.13.Nickel alloy: Inconel 718
6.14.Precious metals and alloys
6.15.Maraging steel 1.2709
6.16.15-5PH stainless steel
6.17.17-4PH stainless steel
6.18.316L stainless steel
6.19.Titanium and alloys
6.20.New alloys for 3D printing
7.APPLICATION CASE STUDIES
7.1.Hofmann
7.2.RUAG Space and Altair
7.3.GE Aviation
7.4.Airbus
7.5.Boeing 787 Dreamliner
7.6.Siemens
7.7.Land Rover BAR
7.8.John Deere
7.9.Shapeways Jewelry
7.10.Arcam AB
7.11.Fraunhofer
8.INVESTMENTS, ACQUISITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
8.1.M&A activity in metal 3D printing
9.MARKET STATISTICS AND TRENDS IN 2016
9.1.Installed base by printer type
9.2.Printer units sold
9.3.Installed base by manufacturer
9.4.Average prices by printer type
9.5.Revenues by printer type
9.6.Market value of metal powders
9.7.Share of metal powder sold by mass
9.8.Share of metal powder sold by revenues
10.PRINTERS AND MATERIALS: MARKET FORECASTS FOR 2018-2028
10.1.Forecast methodology
10.2.Installed base supply forecast
10.3.Annual unit sales forecast
10.4.Annual printer revenue forecast
10.5.Materials sales volume forecast
10.6.Powder vs other feedstocks sales volume forecast
10.7.Powder sales volume forecast
10.8.Powder revenue forecast
10.9.Combined printers and materials revenue forecast
11.APPENDIX: COMPANY PROFILES
11.1.3D Systems
11.2.Advanced Powders & Coatings
11.3.Arcam AB
11.4.Argen Corp
11.5.Boeing
11.6.Carpenter Technology
11.7.Concept Laser
11.8.Cookson Precious Metals
11.9.Cytosurge
11.10.EFESTO
11.11.EOS
11.12.The ExOne Company
11.13.Fabrisonic
11.14.Fraunhofer
11.15.Hoganas
11.16.Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies
11.17.Legor Group
11.18.Lockheed Martin
11.19.Loll Feinmechanik
11.20.LPW Technology
11.21.Markforged
11.22.Materialise
11.23.Metalysis
11.24.Nanosteel
11.25.Norsk Titanium
11.26.Optomec
11.27.QuesTEK
11.28.Realizer
11.29.Sandvik Osprey
11.30.SLM Solutions
11.31.Volvo
11.32.Voxeljet
 

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The 3D printing metals market will be worth $12B in 2028

Report Statistics

Slides 187
Companies 32
Forecasts to 2028
 

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