3D printing technology will be adopted by enterprise users nearly 5 years ahead of the consumer market, claims a report published by market analyst firm Gartner.
Enterprises are likely to start using the technology in roughly around 2 to 5 years, while it might take at least 5 years for the consumer market to adopt the use of 3D printers, according to Gartner.
Pete Basiliere, Gartner research vice president said that even though 3D printers cost just a few hundred dollars now, the price is considered to be still high for the consumer market.
Even with wide-spread awareness of the uses of 3D printing, not many ventures into investing in a 3D printer. Enterprises that do invest, realize that it is a complex eco system which keeps evolving and only a heavy investment in it can help them use the printer for business for day-to-day use.
He said that around 40 manufacturers currently supply 3D printers and 200 other startups are engaged in extensive research in the field who sell their 3D printers for affordable prices. The report also notes that the applications of 3D printing extend much beyond prototyping and that it will take quite some time for enterprises to explore its potential.
Basiliere’s report uses the hype cycle chart to demonstrate its theory. According to the chart, business applications of the technology are at the slope of enlightenment indicating that innovative ways of using the technology are being explored.
