U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (EBM, SLS), By Printer Type, By Component, By Application, By Vertical, By Software, By Material, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The U.S. additive manufacturing market size was valued at USD 2.99 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.9% from 2022 to 2030. The assertive research & development in three-dimensional printing and the increasing demand for prototyping applications from various industry verticals, particularly healthcare, automotive, and aerospace & defense, are expected to drive the growth of the market. The use of additive manufacturing in industrial applications usually denotes 3D Printing (3DP). Additive manufacturing involves a layer-by-layer addition of material to form an object referring to a three-dimensional file with the help of software and a 3-dimensional printer.

A relevant additive manufacturing technology is selected from the available set of technologies to implement the process. The last step involves the deployment of this process across different industry verticals based on the necessity. The utilization includes providing installation services, offering consultation solutions, and customer support, as well as handling aspects related to copyrights, licensing and patenting. Additive manufacturing is helping manufacturers in terms of prototyping, designing of the structure & end products, modeling, and time to market. As a result, the production expenses have reduced considerably, and the manufacturers are in a position to offer better products at reasonable prices.

As a result of these benefits, the demand for 3D printers is expected to increase in the coming years. In the U.S., 3D printers are helping to develop complex machinery and parts with ease; mass customization, improved speed to market, and waste reduction are the key factors boosting the market growth. The market in the U.S. is likely to be driven by increasing attempts by various end-use sectors to include 3D printers as mainstream manufacturing equipment. In addition, the availability of 3D printers in a variety of sizes and capacities is projected to propel market expansion. However, the prevalent misconceptions with respect to the prototyping processes held by the small- and medium-scale manufacturers are hindering the adoption of additive manufacturing.

Companies involved in designing, mainly small- & medium-scale enterprises, are deliberating before considering investments in prototyping as accountable investments rather than trying to understand the advantages and benefits of prototyping. The general notion prevailing among these enterprises is that prototyping is merely an expensive phase before manufacturing. Such perceptions regarding prototyping, coupled with the lack of technical knowledge and a looming shortage of standard process controls, are expected to hinder the market growth. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the overall U.S. economy and, subsequently, the additive manufacturing industry.

Furthermore, due to the outbreak, the situation deteriorated in the U.S. Due to the virus’s rapid spread, the governments issued an order for the complete lockdown of some key cities. The complete lockdown affected the production of additive manufacturing printers. This is attributed to the labor shortage and the complete disruption of logistics and supply chain in the nation. The halt in additive manufacturing production had an adverse impact on the overall market growth in the first and second quarters of 2020.

Printer Type Insights

Based on printer types, the market has been further segmented into industrial and desktop 3D printers. The industrial printer segment led the market and accounted for a share of more than 69.8% of the overall revenue in 2021. To derive the exact market size for printer types, we have broken down both desktop as well as industrial 3-dimensional printers into hardware, software, and services. The higher share of the industrial printers can be attributed to the extensive adoption of these printers in heavy industries, such as automotive, electronics, aerospace & defense, and healthcare. Prototyping, designing, and tooling are some of the most common industrial applications across these industry verticals.

Extensive adoption of additive manufacturing for prototyping, designing, and tooling is contributing to the growing demand from the industrial sector. Hence, the industrial printer segment is expected to continue dominating the market over the forecast period. On the other hand, the adoption of desktop 3-dimensional printers was initially limited to hobbyists and small enterprises. However, they are being used for household and domestic purposes nowadays. The education sector, which comprises schools, educational institutes, and universities, is also deploying desktop printers for technical training and research purposes. Small businesses are particularly adopting desktop printers and diversifying their business operations to offer additive manufacturing and other related services.

For instance, the concept of ‘fab shops’ is gaining popularity in the U.S. These fab shops offer on-demand additive manufacturing of parts and components as per the designs and requirements provided by the customers. Hence, the demand for desktop printers is expected to rise significantly in the forecast period. Due to the numerous applications of 3D printers over traditional production processes, 3D printing has gained immense popularity over the last decade. High flexibility, rapid prototyping, minor loss, fast design & manufacturing, ease of access, and cost & time effectiveness are some of the benefits of the production process. Personal, professional, and industrial printing are all possible with these printers. These printers may be programmed to indefinitely print any piece or component, reducing material costs to ensure little or no waste.

Technology Insight

Based on technology, the market has been further segmented into stereolithography, Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), inkjet, polyjet, laser metal deposition, Electron Beam Melting (EBM), digital light processing, laminated object manufacturing, and others. The stereolithography segment led the market and accounted for more than 11.00% share of the overall revenue in 2021. Stereolithography technology s one of the oldest and most conventional printing technologies.

Although the advantages and ease of operations associated with the stereolithography technology are encouraging the adoption of this technology, advances in other types of technologies and aggressive R&D activities undertaken by the industry experts & researchers are opening opportunities for several other efficient and reliable technologies. FDM also accounts for a considerable revenue share owing to extensive adoption of the technology across various 3DP processes. The DLP, EBM, inkjet printing, and DMLS are also expected to witness a growing adoption over the forecast period as these technologies are applicable in specialized additive manufacturing processes.

The growing demand from aerospace & defense, healthcare, and automotive verticals would open opportunities for the adoption of these technologies. The technology of 3D printing has developed over the period. Various types of 3D printers are used in multiple industries, including direct metal laser sintering, Stereolithography (SLA), Selective laser sintering (SLS), Carbon DLS, Carbon DLS, and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). The defense industry in the U.S. is using these technologies extensively for various purposes, such as 3D printing being used for anything from fighter aircraft replacement parts to concrete dormitories for isolated outposts. The U.S. Marine Corps is learning concrete 3D printing, which can construct structures faster and for less money.

Software Insight

Based on software, the market has been segmented into design software, inspection software, printer software, and scanning software. Design software is used for constructing the designs of the object to be printed, particularly in the automotive, aerospace & defense, and construction & engineering verticals. The design software segment led the market and accounted for nearly 34.5% share in 2021. Design software acts as a bridge between the objects to be printed and the printer’s hardware. Hence, the design software held the largest share in 2021 and is expected to continue dominating the market over the forecast period.

The demand for scanning software is estimated to grow on account of the rising trend of scanning objects and storing scanned documents. This ability to store the scanned images of the objects irrespective of their size or dimensions for 3-dimensional printing of these objects whenever necessary is expected to drive the growth of the segment over the forecast period. In addition, the segment is also expected to witness rapid growth and generate considerable revenues owing to the rising adoption of scanners.

The scanning software segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. 3D printing is a complicated process; it requires various software to function correctly. As scanning the part that needs to be printed should be accurate up to the millimeter of its size, this software plays a vital role. The various software, such as design, inspection, printer, and scanning software, helps in solid modeling that generates a lightweight and manifold model. The U.S. is one of the leading creators of software for additive manufacturing. Software like Tinkercad, Blender, BRL-CAD, Design Spark Mechanical, and Wings3D is used in specs, defense, automation, and construction industries.

Application Insight

Based on application, the market has been further segmented into prototyping, tooling, and functional parts. The prototyping segment led the market and accounted for more than 52.8% revenue share of the market in 2021.The automotive and aerospace & defense verticals particularly use prototyping to design and develop parts, components, and complex systems precisely. Prototyping allows manufacturers to achieve higher accuracy and develop reliable end products. Hence, the prototyping segment is expected to continue dominating the market over the forecast period. Functional parts include smaller joints and other metallic hardware connecting components. The accuracy and precise sizing of these functional parts are of paramount importance while developing machinery and systems.

The functional parts segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2022 to 2030 in line with the increasing demand for designing and building functional parts. The U.S. is one of the prominent countries to use 3D printing extensively. 3D printing is used in various places, such as education, prototyping & manufacturing, and medicines. The U.S. is utilizing 3D printing in the space and aviation sectors. For instance, In April 2017, Lockheed Martin, a U.S.-based aerospace company, 3D-printed the remote interface unit used in communication satellites by the U.S. Airforce. The ADMC Print, a 3D printing solution provider company, has 3D-printed a dome covering the aircraft’s high-pressure fuel tank. The gasoline tanks are made by attacking two 3D printed crowns to a titanium cylinder.

Vertical Insight

Based on verticals, the market has been further segmented into separate verticals for desktop and industrial additive manufacturing. The verticals considered for desktop additive manufacturing comprise educational purposes, fashion & jewelry, objects, dental, food, and others. The verticals considered for industrial 3D Pcomprise automotive, aerospace & defense, healthcare, consumer electronics, industrial, power & energy, and others. The aerospace & defense, healthcare, and automotive verticals are anticipated to contribute significantly to the growth of the market over the forecast period owing to the active adoption of technology in various production processes associated with these verticals.

In the healthcare sector, AM helps in the development of artificial tissues and muscles, which replicate the natural human tissues and can be used in replacement surgeries. These capabilities are expected to help in driving the adoption of 3DP across the healthcare vertical and contribute significantly to the growth of the industrial segment. On the other hand, dental, fashion & jewelry, and food verticals are anticipated to contribute significantly to the growth of the U.S. desktop additive manufacturing segment over the forecast period. The dental vertical dominated in 2021 and it is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period.

The adoption of additive manufacturing in the production of imitation jewelry, miniatures, art & craft, and clothing & apparel is also gaining traction. The automobile sector has seen a prominent increment in 3D printing. As the demand for better cars is increasing, it’s hard to produce parts and spares with the conventional way of manufacturing on such a large scale. Various companies are now 3D-printing their parts. A U.S.-based company, Ford launched its Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (sports car) in 2020. Some of its parts, such as body sculptures, brake pads bracket, and brake lines, are 3D-printed. The sports car is claimed to be the most aerodynamically stable and the use of additive manufacturing technology has increased the pace of manufacturing.

Material Insights

On the basis of materials, the market has been further segmented into polymer, metal, and ceramic. The polymer segment led the market in 2021 and accounted for a share of more than 41.5%. The metal segment is anticipated to maintain its lead during the forecast period. The metal segment accounted for the second-largest revenue share in 2021. The ceramic material segment is expected to witness considerable growth during the forecast period. Considering additive 3D printing using ceramic material is fairly new.

The increasing R&D for AM technologies, such as FDM and inkjet printing, has led to the rising demand for ceramic AM. With the adoption of AM methodology, the manufacturers can produce complicated and delicate parts as well with greater ease and accuracy. Moreover, the production expenditures are being reduced significantly owing to the enhanced material usage and benefits offered by the technology. As such, the benefits & advantages of additive 3D printing are gaining greater attention from the players of various industry verticals.

Component Insight

Based on components, the market has been further segmented into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment led the market and accounted for more than 64.4% share of the U.S. revenue in 2021. The hardware segment has benefitted significantly from the growing necessity of rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing practices. The growth of the hardware segment is primarily attributed to various factors, such as rapid industrialization, increasing penetration of consumer electronic products, developing civil infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and optimized labor costs. Technological proliferation, growing penetration of rapid 3D printing processes, such as rapid prototyping, and increasing applications, across various industry verticals, are the factors likely to propel the demand for various AM components.

The technology allows layer-by-layer procedural manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, which are connected through a system consisting of applicable digital files. Aircraft production indirectly relies on mass 3D printing. 3D printing is faster and cheaper as it is well equipped to create complex parts. It is often used as a master pattern for urethane casting of large aircraft parts. 3D-printed designs are initially used to integrate multiple components into a fluid assembly. Thus, the use of additive 3D printing hardware technologies and 3D printing software in various industrial sectors is expected to boost the growth of the market.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market players are improvising the additive 3D technology continuously in line with the growing demand for three-dimensional printing from the incumbents of the automotive, healthcare, and aerospace & defense industries for manufacturing purposes. Key market players are typically adopting additive 3D printing as a new product development process. Market leaders, such as Autodesk Inc., GE Additive, 3D Systems, Inc., and EnvisionTec, Inc. are moving beyond prototyping and utilizing the agility associated with additive 3D printing for the entire manufacturing value chain. Some of the prominent players in the U.S. additive manufacturing market include:

• EnvisionTec, Inc.

• 3D Systems, Inc.

• GE Additive

• Autodesk, Inc.

• Made In Space

• Solidscape, Inc.

• Prodways Americas

• Sciaky, Inc.

• Airwolf 3D Printers

• AON3D

• Ultimaker BV

• Revolution 3D Printers

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

The report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. additive manufacturing market report based on component, printer type, technology, software, application, vertical, and material:

• Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Hardware

  • Software

  • Services

• Printer Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Desktop 3D Printer

  • Industrial 3D Printer

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Stereolithography

  • Fuse Deposition Modelling (FDM)

  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

  • Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

  • Polyjet Printing

  • Inkjet printing

  • Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

  • Laser Metal Deposition

  • Digital Light Processing

  • Laminated Object Manufacturing

  • Others

• Software Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Design Software

  • Inspection Software

  • Printer Software

  • Scanning Software

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Prototyping

  • Tooling

  • Functional Parts

• Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Industrial Additive Manufacturing

    • Automotive

    • Aerospace & Defense

    • Healthcare

    • Consumer Electronics

    • Power & Energy

    • Others

  • Desktop Additive Manufacturing

    • Educational Purpose

    • Fashion & Jewelry

    • Objects

    • Dental

    • Food

    • Others

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Polymer

  • Metal

  • Ceramic