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Gartner Report: Worldwide 3D Printer Shipments to Double in 2016

According to a recent report by Gartner, an information technology and advisory firm, 3D printer shipments are to double in 2016, from predicted 244,533 units in 2015 to 496,475 units.

Gartner also forecasts that between 2016 and 2019 shipments of 3D printers will more than double every year, with expected worldwide shipments of more than 5.6 million in 2019.

Pete Basiliere, Research Vice President at Gartner explains: “Rapid quality and performance innovations across all 3D printer technologies are driving both enterprise and consumer demand, with unit shipment growth rates for 3D printers increasing significantly. The 3D printer market is continuing its transformation from a niche market to broad-based, global market of enterprises and consumers.”

Out of seven technologies that constitute the market, material extrusion-based 3D printers will lead the market with 97.5% of all devices by 2019, mostly due to low cost, entry-level 3D printers based on this technology. In the price range of $ 1 to $ 2,500, units selling for under $ 1,000, which now make up 25.5% of this price band, are forecasted to grow to 40.7% by 2019. According to Gartner, the primary drivers in the market for consumer devices under $ 2,500 are purchases by schools and universities, not by households. Enterprises, however, will focus on finished-piece quality and material advances.

Enterprise 3D printers can not only prototype new products and produce tools and fixtures that are used to make other items, but also print high-quality, short-run finished goods,” Basiliere adds. “This multifaceted ability is driving their growth worldwide.”


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