For several years now, it has seemed as if 2022 would be the year for metal binder jetting technologies in the world of additive manufacturing (AM). In a market where things always seem to be perpetually just off on the horizon and rarely in the here-and-now, is the time for metal binder jetting technologies finally upon us? The answer to this question seems to a large degree on the planned activities of three competitors in the space: HP, GE Additive, and Desktop Metal.
We don’t know for sure what these three will bring to the table this year with regards to their respective metal binder jetting technologies, but it is with great anticipation that we watch to see what impact these platforms have on AM for serial metal production. In this article, we will review some of the underlying strategic factors at play in the race to achieve the dream of metal binder jetting, and particularly the importance of establishing a mid-market opportunity.
Feature image courtesy of ExOne/Desktop Metal.