Acknowledgments
About the author
Focus of this report
Introduction to rapid prototyping
PART 1: BACKGROUND
History of RP systems
Industries being served
How RP models are being used
Installations by country
Applications
Communication
Engineering changes
Good ideas and powerful proposals
Concept models
Verifying CAD databases
Styling, ergonomic studies
Functional testing
Prototypes
Metal castings
Early input from suppliers, toolmakers
Quote requests
Rapid tooling
Rapid manufacturing
Unlimited potential
PART 2: INDUSTRY GROWTH
Revenue growth and forecasts
Revenues from products and services
Annual revenue growth percentages
Comparing growth of RP and machining markets
3D Systems dominates
Material sales
Revenues from service providers
Secondary market
Revenues from other services
Unit sales growth and forecasts
Unit sales growth percentages
Stratasys leads
Systems sold by region
Cumulative systems sold by region
Market shares by U.S. manufacturers
Market shares by Japanese manufacturers
Cumulative market shares by manufacturer
Unit sales by manufacturer and year
3D printer sales by manufacturer and year
Number of models being produced
Service providers
Growth and location
Mix of machines
Market segment continues to shrink
Number of models produced annually
Working with service providers
Challenging times
Change threatens service providers
What lies ahead?
PART 3: TOOLING
Advances
Growing list of methods
Improved thermal management
Risk factors
Indirect approaches
Silicone rubber tooling
Epoxy-based composite tooling
Spray metal tooling
RSP Tooling
Ford Sprayform
Cast kirksite tooling
RPM (rubber plaster mold) casting
3D Keltool
PolySteel
EcoTool
Swiftool
PHAST
V-Process
Reconfigurable Tooling Systems
Others
Direct approaches
Direct AIM tooling
SLS tooling
DMLS
POM
Others
Other options
CNC-machined tooling
Laminate tooling
Hybrid tooling
Space Puzzle Molding
Tool design software
Magics Tooling
FlashTL Mould
Other products
Size of tooling market
Aluminum tooling
Projected growth rates
Metal part fabrication
Tooling comparison matrix
PART 4: SYSTEM MANUFACTURERS
3D Systems
Sony licensing
InVision
New materials
Other activities
Arcam
Beijing Yinhua
Concept Laser
Cubic Technologies
Envisiontec
EOS
U.S. market
Further developments
F&S GmbH
Generis
Kinergy
Objet Geometries
Eden machine
Other movements
Optomec
ProMetal
Sanders Design International
Shanghai Union Technology
Solidica
Solidscape
Stratasys
Dimension credited with success
New business development
Further activities
Wuhan Binhu
Z Corp.
Revenues and unit sales
Revamped product line
New markets
Others
Schroff
Helisys
Cubital
Röders
BMT
Real cost of RP
RP stocks
Revenues and earnings
Trends and areas of interest
Outlook
PART 5: ASIA & EUROPE
Asia
China
Hong Kong and Singapore
Taiwan and Korea
Japan
RP strategy in Japan
Stereolithography
SL materials
Non-SL technologies
3D Systems Japan K.K.
Developments, trends
Low-cost RP technologies
Progress from CAD solid modeling
Japan’s future
Europe
RAPTIA
NEXTRAMA
United Kingdom
Germany
Italy
Sweden
Finland
Denmark
The Netherlands
Belgium
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Other regions
Brazil
South Africa
Australia
Canada
RP groups and associations
PART 6: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Patents
Technology improvements
Stereolithography
Metal powder deposition technologies
DMD and LENS
LAM from AeroMet
LS and related technologies
Speed Part AB
Selective Inhibition Sintering
Inkjet
Methods of extrusion
Lamination techniques
RP system components
Materials
Photopolymers
Three-dimensional printing
Fused Deposition Modeling
Manufacturing
Industrial products, processes, components
Medical, biotechnology, and chemistry-related products
Electronics applications
MICE
Optomec’s M3D
Tooling
Meso, Micro, and Nano technologies
Shape Deposition Manufacturing
EFAB from MEMGen
Medical and dental applications
MIT’s 3DP technology
3DP process
Major areas of focus
Metal Matrix Cast Composites
ProMetal
Z Corp.
Soligen
Specific Surface
Therics
U.S. government-sponsored R&D
National Science Foundation
Educational funding
Traditional research programs
Small business research programs
Collaborative, cooperative, and consortium research
Research instrumentation awards
Career grants
Department of Defense
Department of Commerce
Department of Health and Human Services
RP academic programs
RP educational activities
Basic research activities
Applied research activities
Future trends and contributions from academia
PART 7: RAPID MANUFACTURING
What is it?
Benefits
Product design
Materials
Custom products
Prototyping and production
Manufacturing location
Applications and industries
Air ducts for fighter jets
Sintered parts for space
Formula 1
Military tanks
Hearing instruments
Submarine part
Other possibilities
When it makes sense
Shape and size
Production volume
Quality
Cost analysis
Challenges and needed research
Processes
Materials
Product design
Organization and management
PART 8: OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Growth of solid modeling
CAE and PLM/PDM
Revenue and seat count estimates
Bright future
Large market potential
RP materials
Confusion over SL resins
Discount suppliers
Laser sintering powders
Metal materials for sintering
Aluminum on the horizon
FDM materials
Materials from Z Corp.
Other material developments
Medical modeling
Machinery
Transfer of medical imaging to RP
Materials
Research efforts
RP’s impact
COMPRU
Conjoined twins
3D digitizing and reverse engineering
Technology
3D digitizing
Limitations and other important issues
Triangle meshes and surfaces
Inspection
Caveats
PART 9: WHERE IT'S ALL HEADED
Poised for change
Short-term
3D printers
Rapid manufacturing
Rapid prototyping
Standardization
Tip of the iceberg
Mid-term
Technology standards
Specialization
Technology and applications advance
Long-term
Rapid manufacturing
RM changes the process
RM changes business processes
Speed of change
A new age
Where to learn more
Internet mail list
GARPA
RPA/SME
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Glossary of terms
Appendix B: RP system and material manufacturers
Canada
China
England
France
Germany
Israel
Japan
Singapore
Sweden
United States
Appendix C: U.S. RP system specifications
Appendix D: RP systems manufactured outside the U.S.
Appendix E: Material properties
Appendix F: 3D digitizing systems
Appendix G: Reverse engineering software
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