FOCUS ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
A 3D-printed part for AUDI AG . happens to be one of the oldest and most conventional printing technologies .
Several other additive manufacturing technologies are also used in the market . They include fuse deposition modelling ( FDM ); direct metal laser sintering ( DMLS ); selective laser sintering ( SLS ); inkjet printing ; polyjet printing ; laser metal deposition and electron beam melting ( EBM ); digital light processing ( DLP ); laminated object manufacturing and others .
“ While FDM is also adopted significantly ; DLP , EBM , inkjet printing and DMLS are also gaining significant traction as these technologies are applicable in specialised additive manufacturing processes ,” explained Grand View Research .
Software and market segmentation
of part manufacturing .
“ The global additive manufacturing market size was valued at US $ 13.84 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 20.8 % from 2022 to 2030 . A total of 2.2 million units of 3D printers were shipped globally in 2021 and the unit shipments are expected to reach 21.5 million units by 2030 . Factors such as the growing demand for prototyping applications from various industries and industry verticals ( particularly healthcare , automotive and aerospace & defence ) and the aggressive research and development in 3D printing are expected to drive the growth of the market ,” commented analyst , Grand View Research .
However , it told ISMR , misconceptions among small- and medium-scale manufacturers about prototyping processes are hindering the adoption of additive manufacturing .
“ These manufacturers are deliberating before considering investments in prototyping as accountable investments , rather than trying to realize the benefits of prototyping . The general notion is that prototyping is merely an expensive phase before manufacturing . Such perceptions and the looming lack of technical knowledge and standard process controls are expected to restrain the growth of the market ,” said the analyst .
“ The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a severe toll on the overall economy and , subsequently , the global market for additive manufacturing . The lockdowns and the restrictions on the movement of people and goods imposed by various governments worldwide , as part of the efforts to arrest the spread of coronavirus , typically disrupted the logistics and supply chain , triggered a shortage of labour and affected the production of additive manufacturing printers . These lockdowns and restrictions particularly restrained the growth of the market during
Additively-manufactured metal components for BMW .
Q1 / 2020 and Q2 / 2020 ,” it added .
According to the analyst , the stereolithography segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for a revenue share of more than 8 %. Stereolithography
“ The AM design software segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for a revenue share of more than 30 %. The segment is also expected to continue dominating the market over the forecast period . Design software is used for constructing the designs of the object to be printed , particularly in the automotive , aerospace & defence , and construction & engineering industries ,” continued the analyst .
There are several advantages associated with design software . One of the advantages is the capability of design software to serve as a bridge between the object to be printed and the printer ’ s hardware . There are also different types
Additive manufacturing metal component production through selective laser beam melting for BMW .
22 | www . ismr . net | ISMR July / August 2022