3D Printing in Metal: Companies, Materials and Applications

At IDTechEx, we have just launched a new report 3D Printing of Metals: 2015-2025, because metals is the fastest-growing segment of 3D printing, with printer sales growing at 48% and material sales growing at 32%. The report covers the full range of metal 3D printing equipment, using a wide range of precious metals and engineering alloys, in a variety of industries. Plastic 3D printing has its place in prototyping and education, but 3D printing in metal is being used to manufacture parts in a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, dental, jewellery, oil and gas, orthopaedics, printed electronics, tooling and general engineering. The slideshow below details some examples of companies developing or using the technology for new applications. It includes the parts they are 3D printing, the technology used, the materials used, the stage of commercialisation, the advantages, the disadvantages, and where they'd like to see improvements.