After stock market hype, technology now on a constant growth course. Strategy specialist from US analysis company Wohlers Associates predicts good opportunities for German industry in this field at the 20th Rapid.Tech 3D
(Erfurt, May 15, 2024) After the overheated stock market hype of recent years, 3D printing is on a continuous growth path worldwide. There are good opportunities for German companies to participate in this development. Dr. Brent Stucker, 3D printing pioneer and technology strategist at Wohlers Associates, made this assessment at Rapid.Tech 3D in Erfurt.
Additive manufacturing (AM), as 3D printing is also known, currently accounts for more than 20 billion dollars, a fraction of 0.13 percent of global production. This figure is set to rise to more than 90 billion dollars by 2033. At 0.58 percent, this will still be less than one percent. Stucker considers a share of up to ten percent to be reasonable. Achieving this remains a major challenge and at the same time offers great opportunities, for example for German machine manufacturers and technology providers. Now is a good time to push ahead with new and further developments in AM machines, materials and applications, -materials and applications and to generate capital for this, according to Stucker.
The current technology strategist at Wohlers Associates has more than 30 years of AM expertise as a scientist, co-founder and manager of well-known 3D printing companies and founding chairman of the international standardization commission for additive manufacturing ASTM, which is incorporated into the annual Wohlers Report, among other things. US-based Wohlers Associates is an independent analysis and consulting company with more than 30 years of experience in the field of additive manufacturing.
Until tomorrow, visitors to the 20th Rapid.Tech 3D can find out about the latest developments and applications in industrial 3D printing. Almost 100 exhibitors from ten countries will be showcasing their innovations. On the final day of the specialist congress, the focus will be on 3D printing applications in the fields of mobility, energy and hydrogen technology. The Fraunhofer Competence Center for Additive Manufacturing will also be presenting its latest research.
For the first time, the Additive Manufacturing Working Group of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) is the conceptual sponsor of the trade event, which is being held for the 20th time.
About Rapid.Tech 3D:
Over two decades, Rapid.Tech 3D has developed into a leading AM trade event in Central Europe - with the trade congress at its heart. This year's event will take place from May 14-16 at Messe Erfurt. More at: www.rapidtech-3d.de
About Messe Erfurt GmbH:
As the largest trade fair and congress venue in the center of Germany, Messe Erfurt has established itself as a forum for companies, scientists, medical professionals, trade unions and many other institutions. More than 220 events, congresses and conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions, corporate events and concerts with over 650,000 visitors take place here every year. More at: www.messe-erfurt.de
Trade media contact
Ina Reichel
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M: +49 172 602 94 78
inareichel@ma-reichel.de