MCADCafe Editorial 
Dr. Rashid Miraj
Dr. Miraj has been a practicing engineer for almost four decades and has worked in academia, civil infrastructure, automotive, aerospace and defense sectors. Surprisingly all activities have been on the cutting edge of technology, including ship design, real-time control, robotics, simulation, … More » MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2019 – AlphaStarJanuary 22nd, 2019 by Dr. Rashid Miraj
This necessary shakeout has given the industry the needed vigor to once again pursue exponential growth. As such it can be unequivocally stated, we are amidst a global evolution, i.e. the re-birth of 3D printing, where the AM fabrication of complex and load bearing parts is becoming a reality. The rapid development of software, hardware, sensor technologies in conjunction with new build practices is allowing product manufacturers to meet specification, secure optimum performance and deliver qualified parts. Based on current studies & assessments, the global AM markets which are led by North America, Europe and followed by APAC will experience an average CAGR of 33% between 2018 and 2025. The remainder of global regions will also experience major growth, though at a smaller CAGR index.
It is anticipated that in 2019, the revenue for the AM market in North America & Europe will reach a whopping $7-8 Billion with the bulk of growth distributed between the Defense, Aerospace, Automotive and Medical Device sectors. With sharp increases in the US defense budget and complimentary aggressive IR&D programs within commercial defense contractors, we can foresee an abundance of keen technologies borne by small to mid sized business concerns as well as academic institutions & large government funded organizations that will continue to drive AM innovation well into the future. It is also anticipated that Billions of dollars will be circulated by private investment firms and private investors to grab a share of the rapidly expanding AM market. The structured money will have two effects. First, additional resources will serve to further fuel innovation and accelerate AM adoption within the broader manufacturing landscape reaching new industries and securing new applications. Second, the structured funds will force AM players to adopt viable business models that will turn research into marketable products and services that will ensure long term success. We are now in the midst of a new era in manufacturing. The first to provide repeatable solutions for the most technically demanding challenges will find themselves respected, appreciated and keenly sought after. Tags: Industry Predictions |
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
It is quite evident that over the past 3-5 years the market momentum has shifted to advancing technologies associated with the Additive Manufacturing (AM) process & application. This third wave has been built on the initial forays into AM in the 1980s and 1990s and the more recent mass awareness of AM during the last decade. The current focus on high technology has been driven by the need to qualify parts. AM has moved from simply prototyping in to the realm of finished parts used for non-critical and critical applications. Now, surface finish, net-shape, fatigue life and durability are the new criteria for acceptance. Accordingly, old players have stepped up their game to meet the technical challenge and new players have come forward with cutting edge solutions such as process simulation, optimization, in-situ monitoring and feed forward control.
