Ultimate List of 3D Printing Statistics & Trends [2023]

3D printing is an ever-evolving technology that is quickly revolutionizing both the industrial and commercial worlds. Healthcare professionals are using 3D printing for prosthetics, dental implants, and even the creation oforgan tissue, while the aerospace industry leverages it to manufacture lightweight parts with complex geometries.Automobile manufacturersdeploy the technology to rapidly prototype designs, and architects use it to create detailed scale models of structures. Even the world of fashion is impacted: 3D printing is being used to craft intricate jewelry and avant-garde clothing.

But beyond these exciting use cases of3D printing, what does the actual landscape look like? What kind of growth has the industry seen? Which trends are emerging as we move through 2023? The answers to these questions reveal a fascinating narrative of technological advancement, adoption, and industry impact.

This post will dive into a compilation of some of the most significant 3D printing statistics and trends of 2023 to provide a panoramic view of the current state and future prospects of this innovative technology. Whether you’re an industry professional, an investor, or simply a 3D printing enthusiast, you’ll find a wealth of insights that reveal how 3D printing is shaping the world as we know it.

Exciting 3D Printing Statistics to Know

灭3D XiP Pro 3D printers.

1. Global 3D printing to grow 2.8x by 2028

The 3D printing market is expected to reach a value of$56.21 billion in 2028, up from $20.24 billion in 2023. This projected growth indicates the expanding adoption of 3D printing across various industries, driven by advancements in technology and cost-effectiveness.

2. The 3D printing industry makes over 75% of total revenue from industrial printers

Out of the various printer types available,industrial 3D printersdominate the global revenue, constituting over76%of the market share.Desktop 3D printersmake up the remaining portion of the market.

While previously considered a best fit for hobbyists and small businesses, today’s desktop 3D printers have industrial-quality construction and high-end printing capabilities. Professional users invest in desktop 3D printers because they’re portable (compared to the footprint of the factory-sized 3D printers), durable, and more affordable.

3. Prototyping leads in 3D printing applications

The main3D printing applicationamong a thousand respondents isprototyping, as reported by 66% of the participants. Prototyping involves the creation of initial models or functionalprototypesthat serve as a visual representation of the final product. This enables them to test and validate their designs before moving into full-scale production

Additionally,21%of respondents stated that their primary use of 3D printing is for producing end-use parts.

4. How many 3D printers have been sold?

Shipments of 3D printers are measured at around2.2 millionunits in 2021 and are projected to reach 21.5 million units by the year 2030. The growth of the market will be driven by research and development activities in sectors like healthcare and aerospace, which will contribute to the expansion of the market over the next decade.

5. Polymer & plastic are some of the most popular 3D printing materials

Plastics and polymers是最广泛使用的吗3D printing materials. However, the versatility of 3D printing extends beyond these materials. 3D printing has opened new possibilities for using diverse materials to fabricate objects, ranging from intricate metal parts and composites tobio-printed human tissues.

6. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) beats other processes in usage

The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)market is projected to grow significantly, with an expected increase from$3.2 billionin 2023 to $8.8 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 22.46%. This growth is driven by the rising demand forSLS 3D printers在发达国家,研究和开发ment facilities are present.

SLS is widely used in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries to produce parts that require tight tolerances or intricate details such as dental aligners, hearing aids, orthotics, and prosthetics.

SmartDronemaintains agile production processes with Nexa3D’s SLS 3D printers.

7. Polymer vs metal

The forecast forpolymer 3D printergrowth in 2023 and beyond is estimated to be around13%. Suppliers expect a 20% growth in machine sales, whereas users anticipate a growth rate of around 10%. For metal printers, both suppliers and users agree on a growth projection of approximately 26% for the next five years.

8. Top brands use 3D printing technology to create custom apparel

为了保持领先,品牌如耐克、新鲜Balance, Adidas, Dior, Rebook, and Fendi have all explored 3D printing for creating components like midsoles, outsoles, and even entire shoe designs. 3D printing offers the potential for lightweight, supportive, and uniquely tailoredfootwear for athletes and general consumers.

9. 3D printing software and services to triple market growth

The markets for on-demand parts services andcomputer-aided design (CAD) softwareare expected to nearlytriple in size.

10. 3D printed medical materials to gain more market share

The 3D printed prosthetics, orthotics, and audiology market is projected to generate$509million in revenue by 2026. Furthermore, this market is expected to witness significant growth and reach $996 million by 2030.

11. What manufacturing method do people use more?

Despite metaladditive manufacturingexperiencing rapid growth, polymer 3D printing generates more thantwice the revenue. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) remains the popular choice among respondents, with 56% reporting it as their most frequently used additive manufacturing method.

SLA 3D printingcomes next, which is no surprise. SLA 3D printing is aresin 3D printing技术生产对象的选择性的坏蛋ing photopolymer liquid resin through light-activated polymerization. Thanks to its ability to produce highly detailed and complex parts with repeatable accuracy and smooth surface finishes, this technology is quickly becoming a favorite for medical devices, engineering and product design, complex manufacturing parts, and much more.

Made with Nexa3D’s resin 3D printer theXiP Pro.

3D Printing Market Trends to Look For

We’ve seen some statistics on the increasing adoption of 3D printing across various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and consumer products. Now, let’s peek into the future and see how this technology is going to further disrupt manufacturing.

1. Sustainability is gaining ground each year

Sustainability in 3D printing is expected to become a more prominent trend in2023 and beyond. 3D printing technology helps achieve sustainability goals by reducing overproduction, eliminating product waste, minimizing transportation efforts, and using lighter and stronger designs. Recyclable and bio-derived materials are also gaining prominence.

Meeting end customer demands for sustainable products and repairability further drives the adoption of additive manufacturing.

2. 3D printing is changing the face of car manufacturing

Williams Racing x Nexa3D

As the automotive industry shifts towardselectric vehicles, 3D printing is playing a crucial role. By leveraging 3D printing’s capabilities, automakers can design andproduce car partsfaster and more efficiently. Additive manufacturing enables them to meet ambitious production targets and gain a competitive edge.

3. 3D printed parts will have codes embedded on them in the future

Organizations in the 3D printing industry are exploringcoding digital information into the surface texture of 3D printed parts. This advancement allows for enhanced tracking and identification. By embedding information into the texture, it becomes readable by both humans and machines.

This trend is expected to revolutionize operations, inventory management, and tracking systems as businesses look for more efficient ways to monitor their products.

4. The 3D printing industry is facing job shortages

It’s projected that the manufacturing workforce shortage could increase by over2.5 timesthe current deficit by 2030. In the case ofAM这将导致超过20500个职位空缺,我n the US. Across the entire manufacturing industry, this shortage could reach over 2.1 million job vacancies.

5. The medical field is advancing to 4D printing

4D printing, an advancement in 3D printing, has gained attention in the medical field. 4D printing is an advanced form of 3D printing that involves creating objects that can self-transform or self-assemble over time. It utilizes special materials that can change their shape, properties, or functionality in response to external stimuli.

This technology has the potential to revolutionize various areas such as drug research, biosensor development, and optics. Experts predict that4D printingcould contribute to the advancement of therapies for rare diseases and the creation of biomedical implants that can adapt to the specific microenvironment surrounding an organ.

6. Metal 3D printing to be utilized for more end-use parts production

According to experts,more industrial marketsin the aerospace and energy sectors are adoptingmetal 3D printingfor the production of end-use parts. This trend is expected to continue and be further supported by the growing use of composite materials in production applications.

Looking ahead, there is an anticipation of new printing solutions specifically designed formass production, allowing manufacturers to accelerate their workflows in previously unimaginable ways.

7. More materials to be compatible with 3D printers

Materials already established in injection molding and other processes will also become more viable for 3D printing. In the future, materials designed specifically for 3D printing might find applications intraditional manufacturing methodsas well. Furthermore, the selection of recycled materials and biomass-based materials will continue to grow and diversify.

Download our latest3D printing material guidefor an even deeper review of the most popular 3D printing materials in 2023.

8. There’s much more 3D printing to come.

More than60%of 3D printer users express their intention to increase their investment in this technology and another 36% expressed their desire to maintain their current level of investment, for a total of 96% of manufacturers interested in continuing their 3D printing journey.

Join the Future with 3D Printing

As we conclude this deep dive into the world of 3D printing statistics and trends, it’s evident that this groundbreaking technology is far more than a passing fad. The data points we’ve explored indicate a technology on the rise, poised to reshape many aspects of our lives. It’s not just about creating–but about innovating, revolutionizing, and driving sustainable development across various industries.

But what does the future hold? Based on current trends, we can expect to see 3D printing play an even larger role in areas like personalized medicine, sustainable manufacturing, and even in the exploration of space. The technology is set to become more accessible, faster, and more efficient, taking us closer to a future where 3D printed products are commonplace.

Our灭3D printerstake this vision seriously. Offeringunprecedented speed, precision, and scalability, Nexa3D is your gateway to harnessing the full potential ofadditive manufacturing.

Whether you’re looking to prototype innovative products or produce high-performance industrial parts, Nexa3D empowers you to turn your vision into reality. As we continue to chart the course of 3D printing into unexplored territories, Nexa3D is equipped to lead the way, delivering unparalleled quality and functionality to users worldwide.

Let Nexa3D help you settle in comfortably in a 3D printed world.

2022世界杯预选赛