2024 3D Printing Predictions from the Experts: Metal 3D Printing

Metal 3D printing has attracted significant investment in recent years, with machine sales increasing by over tenfold in the past decade. The industry has witnessed the rise of large multi-laser systems in what 3DPrint.com refers to as the “Laser Wars.” Disruptive companies like Seurat, Velo3D, and VulcanForms have introduced innovative solutions, reshaping the market landscape. Meanwhile, affordable options like MELTIO, Xact Metal, and One Click Metal are democratizing metal 3D printing.

Chinese vendors are also making inroads into established markets. The growth of new sectors, particularly in space and defense, has been a major driver. There’s potential for a division between a China-focused market and a more defense-oriented US and European one. Additionally, low-cost systems could potentially expand the market by a factor of twenty, making metal 3D printing more accessible. As we look ahead to 2024, we’ve gathered insights from experts to provide their perspectives on the future of the metal 3D printing industry in the coming months.

“I’m truly optimistic that 2024 will be something of a breakthrough year for AM. The focus will continue to be on part manufacturing and the resulting economics. The more this trend continues, the sooner AM becomes a manufacturing technology. But to be clear, it will come in waves for metals, with the different processes maturing at different rates. PBF is getting close with the increases in productivity and more engineers appreciating the impact of designing with AM in mind. Innovation will continue to grow from application development, part design, and manufacturers. Printer manufacturers will continue to grow as partners to the manufacturers,” said John Barnes, founder and president of The Barnes Global Advisors.

Read the full article on 3Dprint.com.