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3D Printing of Metals 2019-2029

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 influx of new powder bed fusion equipment vendors since 2015 has helped to drive down printer prices and met the surging demand for this type of printer. There is significant appetite for metal 3D printers which offer lower cost solutions to help customers fully leverage the plethora of benefits offered by additive manufacturing.
Over the past few years, several companies have 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 metal 3D printing will reach a value of $19 billion by the year 2029.
 
Technology and Applications
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 are introduced, and their technological capabilities evaluated.
 
This report provides a detailed overview of currently supported materials for metal 3D printing, assessing production methods, raw material requirements across different printer types and their potential applications. In addition, novel methods for creating new materials for metals 3D printing are discussed.
 
Market analysis
This report forecasts the overall metal 3D printing market to 2029, 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 2019-2029 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 2029. 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?
  • How do metrics such as price, build speed, build volume and precision vary by printer type?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of different 3D printing technologies?
  • Which printers support different material classes?
  • What is the current installed base of 3D 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 2019 to 2029?
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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.Major material-process relationships
1.2.Why adopt 3D printing?
1.3.Market share of accumulated sales by process in 2018
1.4.Market share of annual sales by process in 2018
1.5.Market share of revenues by process in 2018
1.6.Market share of mass demand by metal powder in 2018
1.7.Market share of revenues by metal powder in 2018
1.8.Combined printers and materials revenue forecast
1.9.Industry segmentation forecast
1.10.Drivers and restraints
2.INTRODUCTION
2.1.Glossary: common acronyms for reference
2.2.Scope of report
2.3.The seven different types of 3D printing process
2.4.Major material-process relationships
2.5.Why adopt metal 3D printing
2.6.History of metal 3D printing
2.7.Business models: securing future revenues
2.8.The desktop 3D printer explosion
2.9.Drivers and restraints
3.METAL PRINTING PROCESSES
3.1.Powder bed fusion: Direct Metal Laser Sintering
3.2.Powder bed fusion: Electron Beam Melting
3.3.Directed Energy Deposition: Blown Powder
3.4.Directed Energy Deposition: Welding
3.5.Binder jetting: Metal Binder Jetting
3.6.Binder jetting: Sand Binder Jetting
3.7.Sheet lamination: Ultrasonic additive manufacturing
4.NEW METAL PRINTING PROCESSES
4.1.Extrusion: Metal + polymer filament
4.2.Vat photopolymerisation: Digital Light Processing
4.3.Material jetting: nanoparticle jetting
4.4.Material jetting: magnetohydrodynamic deposition
4.5.Material jetting: Microfluidic electroplating
4.6.Selective Inhibition Sintering
4.7.Welding: Rapid Additive Forging
4.8.Supersonic metal powder jetting
5.METAL PRINTERS: COMPARISON
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.METAL MATERIALS FOR 3D PRINTING
6.1.Particle morphology specifications
6.2.Water or gas atomisation
6.3.Plasma atomisation
6.4.Electrochemical atomisation
6.5.Powder morphology depends on atomisation process
6.6.Evaluation of powder manufacturing techniques
6.7.Supported materials
6.8.Suppliers of metal powders for AM
6.9.Metal powder bed fusion post processing
6.10.Barriers and limitations to using metal powders
7.COMPATIBLE METAL MATERIALS
7.1.Alloys and material properties
7.2.Aluminium and alloys
7.3.Copper and bronze
7.4.Cobalt and alloys
7.5.Nickel alloy: Inconel 625
7.6.Nickel alloy: Inconel 718
7.7.Precious metals and alloys
7.8.Maraging steel 1.2709
7.9.15-5PH stainless steel
7.10.17-4PH stainless steel
7.11.316L stainless steel
7.12.Titanium and alloys
7.13.Metal wire feedstocks
7.14.Metal + polymer filaments
7.15.Metal + polymer filaments: BASF Ultrafuse 316LX
7.16.Metal + photopolymer resin
7.17.AM of high entropy alloys
8.KEY APPLICATIONS OF METAL 3D PRINTING
8.1.Aerospace and defence
8.2.Medical and dental
9.MARKET STATISTICS AND TRENDS
9.1.Capital investment
9.2.Market share of accumulated sales by process in 2018
9.3.Market share of annual sales by process in 2018
9.4.Market share of revenues by process in 2018
9.5.Market share of mass by metal powder in 2018
9.6.Market share of revenues by metal powder in 2018
10.PRINTERS AND MATERIALS: MARKET FORECASTS
10.1.Forecast methodology
10.2.Accumulated sales supply forecast
10.3.Annual sales forecast
10.4.Annual printer revenue forecast
10.5.Feedstock material annual mass sold forecast
10.6.Feedstock material annual revenues forecast
10.7.Mass of metal powder sold forecast
10.8.Metal powder revenues forecast
10.9.Combined printers and materials revenue forecast
10.10.Industry segmentation forecast
11.CONCLUSIONS
12.APPENDIX: COMPANY PROFILES
 

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The metal 3D printing market will be worth $19B in 2029

Report Statistics

Slides 187
Companies 26
Forecasts to 2029
 

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