HP has highlighted key trends and predictions in 3D printing set to disrupt the market in 2024.
In this article HP Head of 3D Print, Go-to-Market, APJ – Daniel James Thomsen, demonstrates that the 3D printing market is evolving after navigating a period of turbulence with challenges from disrupted supply chains and shifting consumer preferences.
Caption: Daniel James Thomsen – Head of 3D Print, Go-to-Market, APJ at HP
Supply Chain Reinvention Will Drive 3D Print Commercial Adoption
Business is finally resetting to address the broken supply chains and rising costs left in the pandemic’s wake with a focus on localized manufacturing, supply chain resiliency, and just-in-time production. The AM (Additive Manufacturing) industry – a market already experiencing robust growth – is set to play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, thanks to a growing ecosystem of service bureaus and industry partners as well as next generation tools that optimize production workflows and increase viability of the technology compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
Sustainable Product Designs and Manufacturing Will Proliferate Markets as Access to 3D Print Technology is Democratized
Companies are increasingly setting ambitious sustainability goals, however there’s a significant gap between intent and action, particularly in the packaging industry. To truly manufacture sustainably, products must be designed with environmental impact in mind from the very start. 3D printing is a key enabler of the trend towards digital manufacturing for a more sustainable future, and new industry partnerships that democratize access to the technology are accelerating design innovation and optimization so that more companies can integrate eco-friendly practices into existing manufacturing processes.
AI and Data Analytics Will Bring More Compelling Applications to Market
2024 will be the year when AM and AI (Artificial Intelligence) truly collide as both technologies advance at an ever-increasing rate and we shift towards cloud-based solutions that require more end-to-end encryption and data security tools. We will see AI models deployed to help even those without design expertise become more proficient in 3D manufacturing – an area currently neglected but extremely important to realizing demand for hyper-personalized and sustainable products. Integration with physics simulations that predict and optimize printing outcomes without the need for physical printing to take place will enhance production control, increasing the yield of production runs and allowing AM to challenge traditional injection mold manufacturing.
3D Print Automation Will Make ‘Lights Out’ Manufacturing a Reality as Customers Scale to Production
Businesses are adapting to changing consumer preferences and supply chain challenges by embracing 3D printing, but scalability is essential to reach maximum potential. Automating steps across the production line can help the AM industry maneuver increasingly complex workflows associated with scaling while maintaining high volume and reducing costs. Digital twins can further monitor, analyze, adjust, and optimize printing processes and parameters to not only reduce errors and maximize uptime without human intervention, but also to extend production into costly night and weekend shifts. With total cost of ownership lowered, the AM industry will reach new verticals and usher in a new wave of manufacturing marked by ‘lights out’ factories.
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