According to forecaster SmarTech Markets Publishing, revenues for 3D printing / additive manufacturing in the automotive industry should generate $1.1 billion dollars by 2019.

Noted the report, the automotive industry is the leading producer of 3D printed prototype parts, with several manufacturers producing more than 100,000 prototype parts and additively manufactured molds per year.

Until recently the automotive industry was using the technology for low volume prototypes.  However, over the past three years, several automotive manufacturers have advanced their use of 3DP technology, both in print volumes and by moving 3D printing into more significant roles within the greater manufacturing environment.

Revenues from the sale of 3D printers to the automotive industry will reach $586 million by 2019.

Higher print volumes also mean an increase in materials revenues generated from the use of 3D printers from the automotive industry, which will reach $376 million by 2019. Thermoplastics and photopolymers continue to the lead the way in material revenues, however by pure volume sand will grow at a rapid pace for the production of sand molds to cast test parts for engine development.

Other applications in automotive are also showing promising developments, including a significant amount of development and research from startups related to cars made from a majority of 3D printed parts.

SmarTech will release it’s report on Dec 15.

Leslie Langnau
llangnau@wtwhmedia.com