Top 3D Printing Technology Trends to Keep a Watch in 2022

The year 2021 was one of the most challenging years for every sector, but the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t affect the three-dimensional (3D) printing sector comparatively.

According to BIS Research, the 3D printing software and service market was valued at $9,661.7 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $80,847.6 million by 2031, at a growing rate of 24.3% during the forecast period 2022-2031.

3D Printing Software and Service Market

When other sectors such as healthcare were facing product shortage problems, 3D technology helped in providing ventilator valves, nasal sticks for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and masks.

It’s surprising how fast 3D technology can help to print such items using a cheap 3D printer. The decision to save the lives of people using 3D printing technology drew the attention of several investors resulting in the growth of the overall 3D printing market.

Let’s look at some of the most promising 3D printing technology trends in 2022 to stay applicable and help to beat the rising competition.

Top 3D Printing Technology Trends to Look for in 2022

Following are the top 3D printing technology trends:

• Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is among the most common use cases in 3D printing technology. Enterprises and manufacturers from several sectors take the help of 3D printers to create concepts and ideas for reducing prototyping costs and time.

It has resulted in high demand for rapid prototyping that allows businesses to test new ideas and concepts in days instead of working on the same for weeks.

The most popular and famous toymaker, Hasbro, uses this approach while designing its new products. Rapid prototyping allows Hasbro to create and market its products faster compared to other competitors.

Rapid prototyping is set to stay at the top demand for 3D printing technology in 2022. Also, in 2022, several manufacturing companies will be replacing traditional production methods with 3D printing methods for several advantages such as flexibility, reduced time, and cost.

• Automated 3D Printers

Several leading companies have started adopting automated 3D printers built using advanced technologies such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Many manufacturers of 3D printing technology have already launched advanced 3D printers having features of digital and automated solutions.

Digital and automated solutions are the most required software solution for enabling automation in mass production. Many enterprises are looking forward to adopting automated 3D printers in 2022 to reduce the limitations associated with resources and skills.

• Industry-Based 3D Printers

Earlier, every sector was using the same 3D printing technology for producing different three-dimensional products.

Enterprises and manufacturers these days are in search of getting customized 3D printers that can work according to the industry’s needs.

For example, construction associate companies require specialized and larger 3D printers that allow the formation of prefabricated houses by using specific materials such as concrete.

Sectors such as healthcare and aerospace are also increasing their investments to create 3D printers to meet their needs.

• National aeronautics and space administration (NASA) is working on a project, OSAM-2, for launching a 3D printer having robotics arms in space to help in assembling and building smaller spacecraft.
• The healthcare sector is working toward the development of 3D printers for printing new bones with the help of ceramic ink.

In 2022, several sectors, such as healthcare and construction, are supposed to invest in industrial-based 3D printers to get better 3D printing services by customizing printers as per the industry’s needs.

3D Printing Device 

Benefits of 3D Printing Technology

• Freedom to Design

The 3D printers provide manufacturers with the freedom of designing components having geometric complexity, which is either next to impossible or very challenging to create using conventional manufacturing techniques.

• Minimal Waste

In 3D printing, the amount of material getting wasted is nearly zero as these 3D printers use the exact amount of material needed to produce the finished products. Also, the leftover material can be used again for the next printing and benefit manufacturers with cost-saving options.

• Single Operator

The 3D printing machines run independently with the support of the machine operator. Multiple 3D printers can be operated by a single person at a time, which helps to reduce the extra labor costs.

Also, this technology helps in reducing the traditional manufacturing steps such as milling, welding, and machining, since the complete production in 3D printers takes place on a single machine.

Future of 3D Printing Technology Trends

In the coming future, several challenges of 3D printers, such as high machine cost, are likely to be eliminated.

As this technology gets advanced and innovation and competition increase, the overall cost of the printers will be reduced to affordable prices.

Several large manufacturers from different sectors have already started investing in 3D printing technology, which benefits them with cost-saving options.

The schools have also started teaching children about 3D printing technology and the ways to operate design and hardware and/or software associated with this technology.

To Conclude

The 3D printing technology has entered 2022 with much more expectations and momentum.

Considering how each sector has witnessed ups and downs in the last few years due to the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it will be exciting to see how the coming trends of 3D printing will play out.

Also, 3D printing technology has gained the interest of several manufacturers who know the unique benefits this technology can provide.