Check the upcoming trends and innovations to look forward in 3D printing in 2017.
From new trends, 3D printed architecture and defining industry driving forces to new filaments and upgrades for ZMorph multitool 3D printers. Here’s our take on what to look forward in 3D printing in 2017. Also, be sure to check out ZMorph’s summary of 2016.
Przemek Jaworski, CEO of ZMorph
In 2017 multi-material 3D printing will continue to rise with new Kickstarter initiatives from small start-ups, new companies, and new multi-material products from industry leaders. At the same time the hype for “3D printer in every house” will finally fade away as more and more people realize that the prime use of this technology are professional applications.
The industry will improve their offer for professional users with better customization and products that fit the needs of small business and R&D departments. Medical 3D printing is a great example here and could be the hottest topic of 2017 with new applications and very futuristic use cases that will make the headlines.
I believe that 3D printing software will become more intelligent and thus make the technology easier to use thanks to solutions like the automatic support systems in FFF 3D printing, multi-materiality, Image Mapping, infill able to counteract the material shrinkage and the interlayer delamination. 3D design software will also include AR and VR-readiness. End of 2017 should bring us the beginning of superintelligent 3D manufacturing with IoT-enabled devices powered with smarter algorithms, more computing power, self-calibrating and almost self-aware.
2017 predictions for #3Dprinting industry
Iain Duncan, COO of ZMorph
2017 will see a continuation of the introduction of disruptive technologies into the 3D printing and additive manufacturing world, driven by exciting advances in new materials and emerging new processing techniques.
Because of its unique modular construction and extendable design features the ZMorph 2.0 SX ecosystem is well prepared to keep pace with advances in Desktop Digital Creativity and in particular this year we will continue to lead the way in the implementation of multi-material Filament Processing. Both our hardware and software solutions will adapt to the accelerating change of pace in this area as we have always been committed to a process of continuous improvement in our products while aiming at backward compatibility to preserve our customer’s investment.
In 2017 we will continue to work closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and aspirations and focus on providing the best state of the art tools to keep them at the leading edge of innovation across the various diverse sectors in which they operate.
Mateusz Makosiewicz, CMO of ZMorph
The industry will go in the direction of its main driving forces. I’d say the single most important force are the users. Since we’re quite past the early adopter’s stage for this technology, we have to think what type of customers come next. In my opinion, they’ll need more accessibility and better user experience design — those are the keywords for 2017.
Because of that, the 3D printing industry will try to find ways to broaden its target audience by bringing all the benefits of digital fabrication to people who were reluctant to it before. Moreover, the user experience will not only improve all existing, well-known technologies, it will also open doors to new technologies and hence new products.
In the scope of new technologies, I think we’re going to see an even higher interest in multi-materiality in 2017.
Tomasz Wykowski, Sales Director of ZMorph
2017 will bring intensive development of multi-material 3D printing which also includes multi-color 3D printing in FDM technology. We will see professional solutions getting cheaper over time, as desktop printers will be taking over even greater part of expensive high-end 3D printers market. Printing quality and reliability will be very comparable in top desktop 3D printers, that’s why we’re also going to see a lot more innovations in printing materials and software itself — that’s also due to the fact that hardware-wise FDM printers are coming to the edge of their development.
The 3D printing market is getting more and more mature therefore we should see some acquisitions in the nearest future as top players can finally afford takeovers in certain niche sectors and segments. As demand for professional and easy to use desktop 3D printing will grow, DIY solutions for Makers will be shrinking and becoming less relevant. In terms of market saturation, NA (North America) and Europe will grow steadily but markets like AP (Asia & Pacific), LA (Latin America) and MEA (Middle East Africa) will continue to grow few hundred percents a year as awareness of additive manufacturing capabilities in those regions is much bigger than the year before.
Finally, multitool 3D printers are trending and they will continue to grow much faster than the whole desktop 3D printing market. Products like ZMorph 2.0 SX will become much more relevant on 3D printing stage over time.
Matt Olczyk, Lead Designer at ZMorph
2016 brought us new industrial 3D printers with huge workspaces, new machines able to print with two and more materials and a lot of new types of filaments, like improved water soluble PVA, UV resistant ASA-X, nGEN with better adhesion, durable PC-ABS, and M-ABS with a lower melting point.
I believe that in 2017 we’ll see even more spectacular use cases of additive manufacturing in various industries, including more real-life houses and architecture. I bet that also material providers will continue to impress us with new filaments, hopefully, able to conduct electricity too. I also look forward to a new support material that will be easier to use and more reliable when used with ABS and ASA-X.
What’s to come for 3D printing in 2017?
Leave a comment below with your predictions and let us know what innovations and new applications you’re looking forward to for 3D printing in 2017.
Happy New Year!
