We have seen seismic changes within the 3D printing industry these last couple of years. Spurred on by the large scale open source movement, behind a bulk of the FDM technology used in the majority of consumer based
Yes, there are a few 3D printer manufacturers worth several billion dollars a piece, spending tens of millions of dollars on R&D each year, however, this pales in comparison to that of other technologies. Also, the most remarkable changes we have seen, with the drastic drop in prices for consumer level printers, have come mainly from start up companies. This is all about to change though in the next couple of years. If you think that the pace of innovation has been impressive up until now, wait until the large-cap companies begin throwing billions of dollars into R&D around 3D printing.
There are several multi-billion dollar companies, with hoards of cash, who will soon, if they are not already, be jumping into the additive manufacturing space. Here is a look at how several companies could take 3D printing to a whole new level, advancing the technology further than imaginable, within a few short years.
Google
Google has already shown a great deal of interest in 3D printing. In fact they are working on what could be a multi-billion dollar project, with 3D Systems, on Project Ara. They will be using 3D Systems’ new production line of
This wasn’t Google’s only foray into getting involved with 3D printing. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, Google announced that they had partnered with 3D printing service provider Shapeways to print free bracelets out for young women, in their initiative to get more school-aged girls interested in coding.
Google has billions of dollars in cash, and isn’t afraid to spend it like some other companies. What may be the entire annual revenue stream of a company like 3D Systems, is pocket change for Google. They could pump $1 billion into 3D printing R&D and shareholders would barely notice the money missing.
General Electric
AutoDesk
Although Autodesk may not rank up there with the Google’s and GE’s of the world, they also are not a small-cap company. The significance of Autodesk is the fact that they
First, the long time players in the field, such as Stratasys and 3D Systems, will now feel that they need to up their research budgets, and second, if it’s a success, Autodesk’s maneuver will prove to other large companies like the Apples, IBMs, Googles and Microsofts of the world, that maybe it is time for them to consider entering the consumer side of things.
There is no doubt in my mind that over the next two to three years we will see tectonic shifts within the industry. In my opinion at least two major corporations will begin producing 3D printers for the first time, likely outspending the current leaders within the industry by wide margins. It is also very possible that one of the big boys within the industry could get gobbled up by a large tech company, forcing others also to consider entering the space. If we are sitting here in June of 2017 and at least two $100 billion + companies are not thoroughly involved in 3D printing, I would astonished.
What do you think? Will research and development within the industry pick up substantially like this article suggests? Where will we be by 2017? Let’s hear your thoughts at the 3D Printing R&D forum thread on 3DPB.com.