IDTechEx report spotlight on 3D printed electronics

From the year 2012, there has been hype about 3D printing. The similar pattern of hype will be repeated, with the arrival of consumer-level 3D printed electronics. This represents collision of printed electronics with 3D printing.

10 Aug 2015 | By PrintWeek India

According to the IDTechEx report, the craft of new technologies are entering the market. This is a collection from traditional flat and rigid 2D printed circuit boards to fully 3D printed electronics. The existing consumer with 3D printing can use different kinds of conductive thermoplastics.

Many companies are competing for the mass production of antennas using different technologies to print on 3D surfaces. To solve the mechanical and electrical challenges, Voxel8 is launching the first machine that allows highly conductive and insulating materials to be printed on 3D. The relative advantages and disadvantages of all valid combinations of technologies and materials are assessed quantitatively.

The potential applications include mass customisation of circuits, flexible circuits, and non flat circuits, mass production of antennas on curved surfaces for mobile and wearable devices, educational use of relative double-layer circuits and experimentation with 3D printed electrical devices such as electromagnets and even motors. These applications are more discussed in detail and the potential for 3D printed electronics is examined both in the context of incumbent technologies such as PCB etching and competing technologies such as laser direct structuring.

In many cases, there are reasons for industries to adopt 3D printed electronics over the next decade, ultimately as per the forecast the market for 3D printed electronics will be worth at least $1billion by 2026.

The trillion dollar oil and gas industry is an emerging user of 3D printing with the highest forecast growth followed by the more established aerospace industry. When significant penetration has occurred into the above markets, 3D printing in these big industries will lock into the capital expenditure cycles associated with them, and, as is the case for other CNC machines, periodic fluctuations in sales will occur -- growth will not be steady and monotonic.
 
This report is available for purchase.
 
The report covers the current and future status, opportunities and market forecasts of 3D printing. It contains many illustrative and analytical figures and tables plus company profiles from across the globe.
 
Upon request the original PowerPoint can be included free of charge as part of the report purchase. Analyst access from IDTechEx All report purchases include up to 30 minutes telephone time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing.
 
18 major players and eight end users in 3D printing have been profiled, and the report is also informed by interviews with companies and institutions throughout the value chain.