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The new year is again coming up with some exciting 3D printing trends
As we start this new year, we’d like to help you get an overview of what’s to come and what trends to expect in the 3D printing world in 2017. We want to consider the probable development of the market as well as foreseeable trends in technological developments in additive manufacturing.
Market Outlook 2017: The Gartner Report
Let’s start with the market development, based on a report published in November 2016 by the US research and consulting firm Gartner. However, this report is not limited to 2017, but ventures an outlook up to 2020. In it, Gartner assumes that by 2020 75% of the global production facilities, 30% of the medical implants and devices, and at least 10% of those in use industrial robot Components from 3D printing production or, as in the case of medical products in particular, even come completely from the 3D printer.
At the same time, according to Gartner, the production times for the introduction of new products will be reduced by up to 25% thanks to 3D printing. On the one hand, companies will therefore significantly expand the production of prototypes, on the other hand, they will increasingly integrate 3D printing technologies into actual production.
Developments such as autonomous and cooperative robots, end-of-arm tooling (in automation), the combination of 3D printing and CNC millingintegrated inspection systems, as well as general developments such as progressive automation.
Augmented Reality and 3D Printing
Another trend topic is augmented reality, i.e. the possibility of displaying virtual objects or helpful information about physically existing objects using a smartphone, tablet or data glasses. In the field of 3D printing, this can mean viewing a planned 3D model as a virtual model (created using the CAD data) before printing and then optimizing it if necessary.
One person who deals scientifically with these questions is Prof. Dr. Jens Grubert from the University of Coburg. In the coming years, the 33-year-old, who owes his position to an initiative by the Bavarian state government, wants to continue research in the field of human-machine interaction and the Internet of Things. According to Grubert, he owes his fascination with the subject of augmented reality to science fiction films such as “Minority Report”.
We wish you a happy new year and hope that you will continue to support us in 2017. Just visit our website and learn more about our processes, materials and services.
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