We know not everyone eats, sleeps and breathes technology like we do. Which means maybe you haven’t dived too deep into what is going to happen in the future with the industry. Since we’re tech obsessed, we’re constantly following additive manufacturing trends and researching what’s in store for the future of 3D printing. Read our top five predictions and tell us what you think.
1. Increase in material options and blended material applications
We predict material development will be a higher priorityfor vendors. This will bring more availability of high-temperature, structural and flexible materials to your company. 3D Printing Industry quotes, “Materials fill the gap between prototyping and production and increase the number of applications for the technology.”
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2. Majority of 3D printing will remain in the first phases of new product development
Even with the shifts we have seen in technology, most companies see 3D printing as a competitive advantage in their strategy. There is a benefit in using 3D printing for end-use parts, however the greatest ROI is still in the beginning phases of product development with prototypes increasing time to market.
3. FDM technology will remain the most used 3D printing technology
Stratasys FDM printers are expected to keep leading the industry in material capabilities and future potential. In the past, 3D printers’ growth is based upon whether they are desktop-friendly, user-friendly, affordably prices, have low-cost consumables and the simplicity of the workflow. FDM printers hit the mark.
4. More markets will adopt 3D printing solutions
New industries will capitalize on 3D printed parts for tooling, jigs and fixtures for manufacturing processes instead of traditional machining. More business sectors will reap the benefits from the entire design cycle.
5. Software will continue to become more optimized for additive processes
CAD software is already bridging communication, but in the future we think there will be more remote and cloud-based features. Users will demand these tools so they can obtain remote access for multiple iterations and facilitate collaboration.
Want to learn more? Get all the details in our infographic.
