Trend Analysis for the Market and Application Development of 3D Printing

Abstract

In 2011, the Economist newspaper declared the advent of 3D printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing (AM), to herald the start of the Third Industrial Revolution. Chris Anderson, originator of the “long-tail theory”, not only authored Makers, a book on3D printing, but also co-founded 3D Robotics to realize his visiofor the potential of 3D printing by applying his perspectives embedded in his book. Nevertheless, opposing viewpoints suggest that 3D printing may not be the game changer its proponents claim. The article explores the technical classification and market growth potential of 3D printing, and analyzes the main markets and countries as well as the application scope of 3D printing.