3D Printing: How long till the revolution?

Infographics are a great way to display information graphically, and recently we’ve been seeing them on the 3D printing industry. Here’s the latest, focusing on a timeline for adoption.

3D-Printing-ihow long to revolution-Infographic

Create by Newark.com

  • 3D Enthusiast

    Please PLEASE change the iTunes reference to Google Play. Apple has a horrible reputation right now, and I’d hate to see the future of 3D printing turn into Apple’s severely myopic view of a sales shop.

  • http://armanicreations.com Michael Armani

    You forgot to adjust for the accelerating growth rate of technologies, and dissemination of information. I would say that pushes 2040 into 2025. : D

  • Steve Jobs

    “3D Enthusiast” how dare you say that Apple has a horrible reputation.
    My Ghost will haunt you now!!!

  • Lee Wenger

    While I don’t want to sound like Watson or Olsen (time will tell I guess) I think that the idea of a 3d printer in every home is fairly far-fetched mainly because the overwhelming demand for objects is more complicated and will combine printed parts with certain amounts of bearings, motors, hardened connectors and electronics, etc. etc, along with custom design – essentially micro manufacturing. I just don’t think that the majority of the mass market wants to design, print or assemble their own parts and items. Even if they are willing to “design” their items it will be more of napkin drawing concept and requirements list at best with only a small percentage willing to do the detailed design necessary to make an end product and I think this will be true even as software gets better and easier.

    It seems to me like a more logical future will be a smaller scale micro-manufacturing that sells one off designs and small design runs. RIght now the smaller the production run the more expensive an item is. You can either have items manufactured for the masses at prices you can afford or you can have highly unique or even custom items at very high cost. 3d printing is one of a few technologies that will need to participate in changing this equation – more customized and purpose specific but without the high costs of custom manufacturing.

    Personally, I think this is one of the ways that countries with smaller work-forces will continue to be relevant against the volume of sheer human power from the likes of India and China.

    • Jenn

      I do!

  • Jeff

    Lee, I don’t think you are looking at the big picture.

    Not everyone will want to design and render their own drawing or a 3D printer capable of printing almost anything in thier house. It’s just the same as very few wanting a CRAY supercomputer in their home.

    But there isn’t going to be just one level. Just like computers vary from $80 tablets with little power all the way up the scale, 3D printers will vary from machines that can print almost anything in almost any material to little units useful for printing toys, kids art projects and and extra couple sets of dinnerware when you invite company over. And many of those will have the means to recycle the printed material at home and use it again.