Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem Overview — PART 4
Article Highlights
The Additive Manufacturing (AM) market (a.k.a. 3D Printing) is currently growing at more than 30% yearly [1]. Although most people associate 3D printing to 3D printers, and sometimes stretching its definition to the associated printed materials, it is important to get a general perspective on a 7 segments AM ecosystem to understand their interlaced dynamic, as well as how to navigate them as a member of the “maker” community.
In a multi-parts article, we will aim at providing perspective on the following points:
PART 1: Defining the AM ecosystem segments
PART 2: Ecosystem dynamics and realities: Hardware Manufacturers
PART 3: Ecosystem dynamics and realities: Service Bureaus
PART 4: Ecosystem dynamics and realities: Makers Community
PART 4: Ecosystem dynamics and realities: Makers Community
A growing Community of Makers…
Although the first 3D printing technology (stereolithography) was first patented in 1986, it took another 20 years before a more accessible AM technology (FDM — Fused Deposition Modeling) led to the apparition of an entry-level community and an open-source movement, with the RepRap self-replicating 3D printer in 2006. It was not long after, that the first commercial FDM printer was available (2006). MakerBot (now owned by Stratasys) is one of the first companies who allowed general consumers to explore and perfect the “art of 3D printing”.
See our related article titled: COMPARISON OF TOP THREE <$1000 FDM PERSONAL 3D PRINTERS: 3D SYSTEMS-CUBE, FLASHFORGE-FINDER AND XYZ PRINTING-DAVINCI 2.0.
Indeed, no matter what type of printer is involved, there is always a great deal of “art” or “craftsmanship” factor to 3D printing which gave rise to a Maker Community and the AM ecosystem.
The following evolutive changes have been the main drivers for the development and growth of the community startups and new services:
- Design capability from users: user knowledge of CAD design
- Design software: availability of accessible CAD software
- File preparation software: effective and accessible .STL and slicer software
- Price of printers: Affordability of owning a 3D printer and AM materials
- User friendly: appeal to most technology-curious consumers, from kids to professionals
- Printed part quality: Print useful and functional parts
- Spare parts and materials availability: Sourcing options and reasonable pricing
As a result of those drivers, a variety of commercial and community-based services are now populating the AM ecosystem and, specifically for the personal-class 3D printing market, have driven the market growth and hype in the past few years.
For example, the need for design tools and file preparation software led by established compagnies and new comers to offer cloud-based (e.g. TinkerCAD), freeware (e.g. Google SketchUp or Blender) or relatively affordable and user friendly CAD software (e.g. SpaceClaim, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.) [4].
Other complementary services and businesses
With an ever growing list of manufacturers offering entry-class printers (e.g. 3D Systems, Stratasys, XYZ printing, Flashforge, Ultimaker, MakerBot, Dremel, RepRap, etc), and with the fast expanding awareness and public visibility of the potential benefits of 3D printing, we now see the emergence of the following services and businesses:
- Online file marketplaces: either free or for sale, a number of websites now offer libraries of files for personal-class printer users, making it easy to justify (e.g. Thingiverse, Pinshape, Sculpteo, Shapeways, MyMiniFactory)
- Online printing network hubs: Allow 3D printer owners to print parts for community users wanting parts printed. This is the Uber of 3D Printing (e.g. 3DHubs, MakeXYZ)
- Specilized events and shows: tradeshows where manufacturers and service providers meet (e.g. CES, Inside3DPrinting, etc [5].), professional associations (e.g. ASPE, ASME, etc.) and several blogs and websites (e.g. 3Ders.org, 3Dprinting.org, 3D Printing for Beginners, etc.)
- Open source resources: low cost network, for spare parts, software, firmware (e.g. rep rap, SeeMeCNC, MeshLab)
References
[1] Wohlers Report 2015. “State of the Industry Annual Worldwide Progress Report on Additive Manufacturing”. Wohlers Associates, ISBN 978–0–9913332–1–9, p.22–24
[2] Photizo Group Report 2014. “2014 Consumer & Desktop 3D Printer Market Size, Shares, and Forecast”. Photizo Group, http://photizogroup.com/products/2014-consumer-desktop-3d-printer-market-size-shares-forecast
[3] Columbus, Louis. “2015 Roundup Of 3D Printing Market Forecasts And Estimates”. Forbes, Mar 31, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2015/03/31/2015-roundup-of-3d-printing-market-forecasts-and-estimates/#4e708e4b1dc6
[4] Fabian, “Top 25: Most Popular 3D Modeling & Design Software for 3D Printing” iMaterialize.com, August 5, 2015 https://i.materialise.com/blog/top-25-most-popular-3d-modeling-design-software-for-3d-printing
[5] “2016–3D Printing Fairs, Conferences & Events List”, 3dprintingforbeginners.com, February 9, 2015 http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/fairs_events/