Costs 'hold back' 3D printing adoption

Johannesburg - High start-up costs are holding back the implementation of 3D printing strategies, according to survey results from research firm Gartner.

3D printing involves computer devices using electronic data or models to ‘print’ successive layers of objects into any shape and geometric form. Objects that can be printed by 3D printers range from small building models for architects to spanners and even shoes.

And Gartner conducted a worldwide survey in the second quarter of 2014 to determine how organisations are using or planning to use 3D printing technologies.

330 individuals employed by organisations - which have at least 100 employees that are using or planning to use 3D printing - participated in the survey.

The survey found that 60% of organisations cite high start-up costs as a main factor in the delay of implementing 3D printing strategies.

However, the survey also found that early adopters of the technology are finding benefits in using the technology.

Main uses of 3D printing among respondents included prototyping, product innovation and development. But the study also found that the technology is also being used extensively in manufacturing applications.

"3D printing has broad appeal to a wide range of businesses and early adopter consumers, and while the technology is already in use across a wide range of manufacturing verticals from medical to aerospace, costs remain the primary concern for buyers," said Pete Basiliere, research director at Gartner.

"3D printer vendors must work closely with their clients to identify potential applications of the technology that may have been overlooked, and improve the cost-benefit ratios of their products. Organisations that wish to experiment with the technology without incurring start-up costs should consider partnering with a local 3D printing service bureau," added Basiliere.

Other findings of the survey include that 53% of respondents indicated that managers of research and development within engineering or manufacturing spaces are the primary influences driving 3D printing strategies.

The research further said that 3D printers can reduce the cost of finished products by more than 4%.

High 3D printing costs in SA

Rectron became first official South African ICT and consumer electronics distributor this year for a popular US 3D printing brand dubbed ‘MakerBot’. MakerBot and other 3D printer brands have also been sold through unofficial channels in South Africa previously.

But Rectron’s prices for the products indicate what consumers can expect to pay for these devices.

Rectron company officials told Fin24 that prices for the entry-level MakerBot Replicator Mini cost over R14 018 (excluding VAT).

The biggest model, the MakerBot Replicator Z18, costs R66 256 (excluding VAT).

Filament prices also come into play, with prices ranging from R212 for a “khaki” colour for the the "Mini" 3D printer range to a minimum of R1 349 for the Z18.

'Context needed for pricing'

Donovan de Abreu, a director at South African 3D printing and scanning company Rapid 3D, told Fin24 that context needs to be considered when asking about whether or not costs are holding back the adoption of 3D printers.

"There are many applications where the costs of 3D Printing pale into insignificance against the savings and benefits versus traditional manufacturing techniques," de Abreu told Fin24.

"It is important to remember that with 3D Printing you get complexity for free.  One excellent example of where this holds true is the jewellery industry," he said.

He also added that regardless of cost, demand for 3D printers are rising. According to research from Gartner released in October. worldwide shipments of 3D printers are forecast to reach 217 350 units in 2015, up from 108 151 in 2014.

For 2018, Gartner has forecast this number to top 2.3 million.

"Clearly there is a demand, as supply is increasing all the time with the amount of market entrants and all the activity around 3D printing," de Abreu told Fin24.

He added that like any advancing technology, costs for 3D printers are also decreasing fast.