3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) is still in its infancy in the composites industry, but it has great opportunities in most industry verticals (including aerospace, national defense and automotive).The technology has several advantages over existing processes, such as shorter part cycle times,more efficient part manufacturing, the ability to create variable geometry, reduced waste, no need for expensive tools, and compatibility with all possible material combinations.

3D printing is currently used primarily to develop prototype composite parts and composite tools.The technology currently accounts for less than 0.1% percent of the composite parts manufacturing market, which offers great growth potential for 3D printing.The continuous progress of AM technology and the increasing interest of AM company in composite materials will allow AM to reach new heights of penetration in the composite parts manufacturing market.

The main participants have been at the forefront of the introduction of carbon fiber-based 3D printing composites.For example, in 2017, Stratasys, a leading 3D printing company, launched a carbon-fiber-filled nylon product to replace metal for prototyping, mold processing and high-end applications.

At present, most of the composite components are manufactured through labor-intensive manufacturing industry, such as manual laying, and this universal material is lagging behind other versatile materials used in mass production applications.

In the past 20 years, the composites industry has undergone a complete transformation in the development of automated manufacturing processes; however, end-user industries such as automobiles still require further short in the overall cycle time of finished parts.At the same time, they are also looking for a process to reduce waste in the production process.3D printing plays a vital role in meeting customer expectations by making parts in less time and reducing waste.

According to the type of composite materials,it is divided into continuous fiber and discontinuous fiber.Continuous fiber are expected to remain the best composite type for 3D printing during the forecast period. However, discontinuous fiber composites are gaining favor in the market due to its higher strength.

Based on the type of reinforcement, the market is subdivided into carbon fiber composites,glass fiber composites and other composites.Carbon fibers are expected to remain the largest type of reinforcement in the market during the forecast period. This type of fiber may also have the highest growth during the same period.Carbon fiber offers a wide range of advantages over competing materials, such as lightweight, high strength and stiffness, and excellent fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance.

Due to excellent performance and external market factors, the permeability of carbon fiber is constantly improved.The high demand for lightweight components in structural applications to improve fuel efficiency or reduce carbon emissions is the main motivation of growth in demand for carbon fiber in major industries such as aerospace, defense and automotive.

The market is subdivided according to technical types such as extrusion and powder bed fusion.During the forecast period,extrusion is expected to remain the most important technology for manufacturing 3D printing composite components,because it is considered to be an excellent technology for high temperature resistance.However, it is estimated that the powder bed fusion technology will increase at the highest rate in the same period.

Regionally,North America is expected to remain the dominant 3D printing composite market in the forecast period.The region is home to the world's largest manufacturer of advanced composite materials.In addition,many ongoing research and development projects are contributing to the growth of 3D printing composite parts in the region.During the same period,Europe may still be the second largest market for 3D printing composite parts.

Stratasys, 3D Systems, Arevo Labs, Mark Forged, Cincinnati Incorporated, Graphite Additive Manufacturing and CRP are some of the famous 3D printing research Labs in the market, providing 3D printing composite materials components in the market.Developing advanced technologies,cooperation among multiple stake holders including 3D printers,and the development of new applications are some of the key strategies used by major players to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

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