The 3D Printing Paradox: Promise vs. Progress
- Boonrat Lohwongwatana
- Sep 9, 2024
- 2 min read
Is 3D printing hashtag#dying?
Is 3D printing really hashtag#disruptive?
Is 3D printing hashtag#ubiquitous?
Is 3D printing an hashtag#empty_hype?
The Gartner Hype Cycle is a familiar concept to many of us, especially in the context of emerging technologies like 3D printing. Over the years, several updates have reflected the evolving trajectory of this technology. While we have seen numerous startups emerge from laboratories and venture builders with promising solutions, many adoption attempts have failed to materialize into sustainable business models. However, such failures are common—and even beneficial—in innovation-driven societies. Several companies have collapsed after reaching the “Peak of Inflated Expectations,” while others remain stuck in the “Trough of Disillusionment.”
Despite these setbacks, notable leaders have emerged from among the suppliers who joined the market during the “Slope of Enlightenment.” Currently, there is significant investment activity focusing on the acquisition of successful 3D printing deployments across various industries. 3D Systems Corporation alone has completed more than 30 acquisitions over the past decade, including its unsolicited bid for Stratasys—sparking a bidding war with Nano Dimension, which is also pursuing large-scale acquisitions such as Desktop Metal. The landscape of machine manufacturers is likely to undergo considerable change in the coming months.
In industries adopting 3D printing, particularly in dental and medical applications, we are witnessing concrete advancements and transformations. Sectors such as orthodontics (e.g., clear aligners), cranio-maxillofacial implants, and hip revision augmentation have reached the “Plateau of Productivity.”
Attached graph, showing growth of patent activity in 3D printing and related fields, is a testament to the rapid innovation within this space. A significant increase in the number of patent applications, granted patents, and related intellectual property (IP) documents since the 1980s, with exponential growth observed after the early 2000s. This surge reflects not only the expanding applications of 3D printing but also the increasing patentability of innovations across industries such as medical, dental, aerospace, and manufacturing. This trend is expected to continue as more industries adopt 3D printing technologies and as the IP landscape shifts to accommodate these advancements.
Medical, Dental and Aerospace industries have made significant progress, considerable challenges remain—especially in high-value, industrial applications such as medical implants and aerospace components, where precision and material science are critical. Lean manufacturing must balance the high capital investment in 3D printers with ongoing maintenance costs. Those who can effectively manage operational expenses may thrive in this evolving landscape.
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