Sculpteo, a 3D printing and digital manufacturing company, has released the 8th edition of its report The State of 3D Printing in 2022. The annual international study, which provides an overview on the additive manufacturing industry, is similar to its seven predecessors. This document allows manufacturers to find new trends and improve business strategies. Sustainability was the main theme this year. According to the survey respondents, who were mostly engineers, designers and executives, 3D printing seems to improve the environmental impact of their work.
The report shows that 41% of manufacturers believe that additive manufacturing can help companies achieve their sustainability goals. Sixty-one percent of manufacturers also believe this technology helps them produce the right amount material for the right purpose. This technology eliminates the need to use a lot of resources. Traditional methods require multiple materials. This makes it difficult to achieve the desired sustainability. That’s why 3D printing is making a difference. Manufacturers can be more sustainable by using 3D printing to get exactly what they need to produce a product.
3D printing can improve resource management (photo credit: Mecalux).
The State of 3D Printing in 2022: Is it a Promising Sustainable Technology Technology?
The Sculpteo study reveals that additive manufacturing is also a promising design technique. Indeed, 84% are optimistic about the technology’s potential in the future. 58% of manufacturers think it will play a significant role in manufacturing, both in the corporate world and in personal lives. Statistics that reflect the opinion of Alexandre d’Orsetti, CEO of Sculpteo. “I can say that the future of 3D printing is promising and I am proud to be able to contribute to the future of this technology,” He says.
3D printing is used to reduce manufacturing’s environmental impact. This is due to its reliability. 61% of respondents agree that 3D printing’s sustainability and reliability is due to its ability to produce on-demand. 59% of manufacturers also desire to have more sustainable materials. This shows that additive manufacturing is increasingly dependent on bio-sourced products. According to the survey, 3D printing has three key aspects that can improve on reliability and sustainability.
Limitations to 3D Printing
3D printing is a great technology, but it has its limitations, especially in the area of cost. This translates to 33% of respondents who believe that the biggest obstacle to adopting additive production is budget. This statistic is still small. It does show that 3D printing may not be available to all businesses. Furthermore, a more sustainable approach requires better material management. The study revealed that 63% of 3D-printed parts manufacturers are interested in recycling. The additive manufacturing industry still needs to improve its resource management, as we have already explained. Download the complete report HERE.
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