3D printing is showing incredible potential and is expected to become a major force in the manufacturing industry. According to recent reports, global spending on 3D printing is projected to reach $66.7 billion by 2020, growing at a compound annual rate of 66.5%. Sales are also expected to surpass $6.5 million during the same period. Industry experts believe that by 2020, 75% of motion control manufacturing will rely on 3D-printed tools and fixtures from internal or third-party service departments. Additionally, 3D printing can cut new product launch times by up to 25%, and enterprise 3D printer shipments are expected to grow at a 57.4% CAGR.
The main applications of 3D printing include accelerating product development, offering customized and low-volume production, and increasing production flexibility. Market forecasts suggest that 57% of all 3D printing jobs are involved in the early stages of new product development, while 55% of companies plan to invest more in 3D printing services in 2017. In fact, 47% of companies reported higher returns on their 3D printing investments compared to 2016.
By 2020, it's expected that over 15 times more 3D printers will be sold globally, with revenue reaching $21 billion. Furthermore, 71% of manufacturers are already using 3D printing, and 50% plan to increase their spending within the next year. About 60% of them use it for creating features or components. However, transitioning this technology into mainstream manufacturing—especially in industries worth trillions—requires more than just innovation; it needs a shift in mindset and process.
While additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) initially gained traction for prototyping and speeding up product development, its adoption has been slow due to limitations in performance, materials, and cost when compared to traditional methods like injection molding. But recent advancements and successful case studies have brought 3D printing to the forefront of large-scale production.
A survey conducted by Dimensional Research and Jabil found that 40% of manufacturing decision-makers expect 3D printing usage to more than double in the next five years. Many are even looking to expand its use by five times. This shift is real, as most respondents believe 3D printing will fundamentally change how they operate and think about product design and manufacturing.
Jabil, one of the world’s leading manufacturing solution providers, emphasizes the need for a new approach. John Dulchinos, vice president of advanced digital manufacturing, stated that companies must rethink product design and manufacturing processes, requiring end-to-end digital solutions that integrate R&D, quality, supply chain, and production.
Ensuring product quality during the transition from traditional to digital manufacturing demands strong commitment and rigorous standards. New, destructive testing methods for R&D and engineering teams also pose challenges in terms of time and cost. As a result, 85% of survey participants prefer to adopt 3D printing gradually rather than as a primary method.
Joanne Moretti, Jabil’s chief marketing officer, noted that traditional OEMs are under pressure from two fronts: rising consumer expectations for speed and personalization, and lower barriers to entry for new competitors who leverage mobile and 3D printing technologies. These newcomers are reshaping the industry with agile approaches, which poses a serious challenge to those still relying on traditional manufacturing models.
From a personal perspective, Moretti is right—manufacturers who delay adopting 3D printing risk losing customers and market share. The distributed manufacturing model enabled by 3D printing allows products to be produced closer to the end user, reducing costs, delivery times, and bringing jobs back to local markets.
Jabil and other pioneers are proving the value of this model. For example, they are using HP’s MultiJet Fusion technology to mass-produce 50 end-product parts. The benefits are clear: producing a part traditionally might cost $20, but with 3D printing, it only costs $6. Plus, the design eliminates extra parts, screws, and assembly, reducing weight by 70%.
Real-world examples, like Jabil’s collaboration between its Silicon Valley R&D team and a smart factory in Singapore, showcase the power of distributed manufacturing. By sharing digital files and integrating final parts into the production line, the process becomes more efficient and flexible.
High-quality teams are combining 3D printing with traditional methods to deliver the best of both worlds, meeting customer demands and adapting to the evolving manufacturing landscape.
Industrial Touch Screen
Industrial touch screens are specialized display devices that combine advanced touch-sensitive technology with rugged construction to meet the demanding requirements of industrial environments. These touch screens are designed to provide intuitive human-machine interfaces (HMIs), enabling operators to interact with industrial control systems, machinery, and processes more efficiently.
Key Features of Industrial Touch Screens:
Durability and Ruggedness. Industrial touch screens are built to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, dust, moisture, and vibration. They are often housed in rugged enclosures made of materials like metal or industrial-grade plastics to protect against physical damage.
High Sensitivity and Responsiveness. These touch screens offer high sensitivity and responsiveness, ensuring accurate and quick touch detection. They can handle multiple touch points simultaneously, allowing for gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and swipe, which are common in modern touch interfaces.
Wide Viewing Angles. Industrial touch screens are designed to provide wide viewing angles, ensuring that operators can view the display clearly from different positions. This is particularly important in industrial settings where multiple operators may need to view the same screen.
Customization Options. Many industrial touch screens can be customized to meet the specific needs of different applications. This includes options for different screen sizes, resolutions, touch technologies, and mounting configurations.
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