Do you know the five highlights of 3D printing in 2016?

2015 has just passed, and 3D printing technology has ushered in a new year of its own. In the past year, 3D printing technology has gradually become familiar to the world, and the world’s projects and experiments using 3D printing technology have also been continuously developed and expanded. At present, many companies and start-ups have continuously explored new production projects in 3D printing technology and have achieved certain results. So what are the highlights of 3D printing in 2016?

1. New player

Even the depth of the water means that once you are familiar with the water, you will create more opportunities, which will attract more companies to jump into the 3D printing circle. First, not only the giants who used to do traditional machining have launched their own hybrid additive manufacturing equipment, but even giants such as TRUMPF directly launched SLM and LENS technology equipment. With TRUMPF’s financial strength, laser technology, manufacturing channels, and a huge worldwide service network, what kind of reshuffle of such 3D printing “new” faces in the field of additive manufacturing is worth looking forward to.

Israel’s Xjet3D, which does plastic jet printing, will launch a metal jet 3D printing system in 2016. Xjet claims to use its patented nanoparticle technology to create special liquid metal to quickly print metal parts. This technology raises the speed and print volume of metal 3D printing to a new level, and can produce unparalleled precision and Surface finish products are cheaper and more efficient than ever. This will further drive metal 3D printing to become the mainstream. And different from the current complex operation methods, this technology will bring unparalleled simplicity and safe operation. Applications include customized products in the medical field, such as titanium alloy knees, dental implants; or automotive parts such as steel or aluminum.

In the competitive market, sometimes competitors not only come from TRUMPF, which cross-border from the traditional industry to the 3D printing industry, but also not only include the old employee entrepreneurial team separated from Objet such as Xjet, and even the seemingly Those that are not directly related to 3D printing will also be attracted, including a joint venture established by Michelin and Fives to develop and sell metal 3D printers. Toshiba and Autodesk are also developing their own 3D printers. Apple at the end of 2015 A color desktop 3D printing patent also conveyed to the industry its intention to enter the 3D printing market.

This means that the 3D printing market has become more competitive. It is no longer news for large institutions with funds, channels, and brand influence to enter the 3D printing field, but inevitable. Can the previous players in this field be able to run it? Predators, 3D printing is no longer a trivial matter. It is especially important to find out its market positioning and maintain its differentiated advantages.

2. Faster

3D Science Valley summarized the development trend of high-throughput 3D printing in the six key words of 3D printing in 2015. The reason behind this development trend is also forced by competition. Including printing service companies when they choose to purchase printing equipment, fast is also a key factor in their purchasing decisions. The faster they are, the more people will buy it. Race against speed has also become the main direction of 3D printing equipment manufacturers to invest in a large amount of research and development.

“Fast” means that 3D printing can enter the factory and become a part of the manufacturing process, not just a production tool used by designers and engineers to manufacture and test new products.

2016, if you are an equipment manufacturer, the question you have to ask yourself may be that I am the fastest? If I am not the fastest, what other aspects do I have the strongest in this field?

If your service provider or other field in the 3D printing link intends to enter the equipment market, the question you have to ask yourself will also be which market segment I am focusing on? In this market, I can do the best Is it fast? If it is not the fastest, what other aspects are the strongest?