IDC recently released a 3D printing market forecast report, predicting that 3D printing technology in the Asia-Pacific region may become the mainstream technology in the market as early as 2018. In this report titled "IDC FutureScape: Worldwide 3D Printing Predictions? APeJ Implications", IDC is trying to raise issues and provide solutions for the IT industry. Suggest. One of the predictions is that the Asia-Pacific market outside Japan will continue to benefit from 3D printing technology.

IDC Releases 3D Printing Market Forecast Report

Mun Chum Lim, a researcher at the IDC Imaging, Printing and Document Solutions Research Office, said: "In recent years, the expiration of several core patents for 3D printing technology has led to the development of 3D printing technology." Patent expiration means open technology, making 3D Printing technology has become more accessible, and its applications have expanded to include more space beyond rapid prototyping. Researchers at Lim believe that as more and more people receive 3D printing skills training, people will be able to generate new demands and benefits from this technology in more fields.

In this report, IDC made several key predictions. The most important thing is that 3D printing will become mainstream technology in the Asia-Pacific market by 2018. Well-known large enterprises in the fields of document printing, contract manufacturing, and electronic product production will enter the 3D printing market, prompting the rapid spread of 3D printing technology. In China, South Korea, India and other countries, with the continuous support of funds and government policies, the wide application of 3D printing technology is more likely to become a reality.

Traditional 2D printing company Ricoh has taken 3D printing as a new business direction

3D printing technology still has great potential to reduce reliance on traditional labor-intensive manufacturing industries, which will make 3D printing technology a key player in regional economic development in the coming years. China has already taken the lead in the application of 3D printing technology.

Another forecast is that by 2018, the 3D printing market in the Asia-Pacific region will grow to a reasonable scale, and mergers and acquisitions will likely reduce the number of companies in the industry by 30%. Corporate actions such as mergers and acquisitions will accelerate, while well-known large companies will gain more investment opportunities and more easily grasp the core technologies of the industry. Researcher Lim pointed out that “corporate mergers indicate that an industry is maturing and a good market signal.” The knowledge and skills of industry practitioners will accumulate and grow, while large companies will expand the positive impact of this accumulation from market dominance. .

The IDC report also foresees a shift in the healthcare industry in the Asia Pacific region, using 3D printing technology to manufacture prosthetic and exoskeleton medical devices, from the laboratory research phase to the commercial phase. The obvious advantages include cheap raw materials and free customization, making 3D printing technology a key technology for prosthetic production worldwide, and the Asia Pacific region will reach the world average in 2018.

Researcher Lim believes that due to "high cost, homogenized design and high maintenance costs", prosthetic medical devices produced by traditional processes will become increasingly difficult to enter the market. Worldwide, 3D printing technology has proven to be a multitude of benefits for medical device manufacturing, and the industry is ready to fully adopt 3D printing technology. In the Asia-Pacific region, government support will increase the acceptance of relevant facilities and people, making 3D printing technology more applicable to the medical field.

Government documents such as "Made in China 2025" include 3D printing technology in development planning

Although the 3D printing market in the Asia-Pacific region is still far from the development of the rest of the world, we believe that high-speed growth will soon change this situation. IDC's market forecast report gives positive expectations, and the Asia Pacific region and its 3D printing market will become an important player in the global market in the next few years.

(Editor)