Moving metal AM forward

Additive-manufacturing system providers still see technical and throughput challenges, but significant developments and market inroads will be made in 2020.

The global 3D-printing metals market was estimated to be US $774 million in 2019, according to a recent research report by MarketsandMarkets. The research company projects the market to reach more than US $3.1 billion by 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 32.5% from 2019 to 2024. Driving this growth is the increasing demand for 3D-printed metals from aerospace & defense and automotive end-use industries, low manufacturing cost, and reduction in lead times, the report says.

Another key factor that will influence growth is quality assurance: metal additive manufacturing (AM) machines must be able to consistently produce a high level of repeatable quality parts.