Rapid quality and performance innovations across all 3D printing technologies will drive enterprise and consumer demand as worldwide shipments of 3D printers priced less than $100,000 will grow 49 percent in 2013 to reach a total of 56,507 units, according to a report from IT research firm Gartner.
The company’s first forecast of the less-than-$100,000 consumer and enterprise 3D printer market projected shipments would increase further in 2014, growing 75 percent to 98,065 units, followed by a near doubling of unit shipments in 2015. Gartner predicts that 3D printing will have a high impact on industries, including consumer products, industrial and manufacturing, a smaller impact on construction, education, energy, government, medical products, military, retail, telecommunications, transportation and utilities and a low impact on banking and financial services and insurance.
“The 3D printer market has reached its inflection point,” Pete Basiliere, research director at Gartner, said in a statement. “While still a nascent market, with hype outpacing the technical realities, the speed of development and rise in buyer interest are pressing hardware, software and service providers to offer easier-to-use tools and materials that produce consistently high-quality results.”[Keep reading…]
Source: eweek.com