3D Printing TrendsQ4/2017

1

TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Introduction

Q4 in the 3D Printing Industry has been a busy one with HP moving into metal 3D printing, Prusa Research launching their new MK3 Printer and 3D Hubs partnering with material manufacturer DSM to bring rapid tool-ing to engineers all over the world. This quarter we look back at July, August and September to find out which machines have been the most popular, where they’re being used and with which technologies.

3D Hubs 3D Printing Trends is a quarterly update using data from 6,000 active international service provid-ers, who create more than 200,000 3D printed parts each quarter. It’s the only industry report based on hard numbers and the most extensive overview of the latest trends in 3D printing.

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Title

Contents

Industrial Highest Rated industrial Printers

Models & Manufacturers Printer Manufacturer Distribution

Most Used Industrial Printers

Printer Model Distribution

Desktop Highest Rated Desktop 3D Printers

Popular Printers by Region Part 1

Most Used Desktop Printers

Popular Printer by Region Part 2

Trending Printers

Tech & Materials Most Used Technologies

12 Most Used Materials

13 FDM Color Distribution

14Geography Top Print Cities

15 Top Print Countries

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Highest Rated Industrial Printers

Industrial

Three differing industrial printers with three separate technologies all end the quarter with a perfect print quali-ty rating of 5.00. The Projet 3500 HDMax continues its reign at #1 as the highest rated Material Jetting Machine. The Formiga P 100 is a new entrant this quarter, coming straight in as the highest rated SLS machine for Q4 at #2 overall. The iSLA-650 Pro has moved from #7 to #3 as more and more designers begin utilising Industrial SLA technology in the industry, in part thanks to its high resolution and large 650 × 600 × 400 mmbuild size.

Another notable new entrant is HP’s new machine the Jet Fusion 3D 4200 showcasing its Multi Jet Fusion tech-nology with a respectable #9 with a 4.75 rating.

These are the top 10 rated industrial printers out of 200 printer models listed on 3D Hubs, based on print quality ratings from customer review data. Only printers with more than 30 reviews in the quarter are included in these statistics.

Insights

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Printer Model

Projet 3500 HDMax

Formiga P 100

iSLA-650 Pro

Objet30 Pro

Formiga P 110

EOSINT P 760

sPro 60

Objet Connex500

HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200

EOS P 396

Technology

Material Jetting

SLS

SLA

Material Jetting

SLS

SLS

SLS

Material Jetting

MJF

SLS

Print Quality Rating

5.00

5.00

5.00

4.92

4.88

4.79

4.77

4.75

4.75

4.56

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Most Used Industrial Printers

Industrial

The Most Used Industrial Printers for Q4 highlights a change in technology use in the industry. Machines using SLS technology previously made up 50% of the list, that has now risen to 70%. With seven out of the top eight being SLS and the busiest machines for the previous quarter with a combined 7,509 prints. In line with this EOS dominate the list with four machines making the top ten. EOS is continually investing in metal 3D printing so it’ll be interesting to see whether we begin to see their DMLS machines enter the list.

After missing out on the top ten last quarter the HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 has come straight in at #2 spot with an impressive output of 2,952 prints.

These are the top 10 most used indsutrial printers out of 200 printer models listed on 3D Hubs. The data is based on customer prints from the previous quarter.

Insights

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10

Printer Model

Formiga P 110

HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200

SPro 230

Formiga P 100

EOSINT P 760

EOS P 396

Vanguard

sPro 60

Objet Connex500

Objet30 Pro

Technology

SLS

MJF

SLS

SLS

SLS

SLS

SLS

SLS

PolyJet

PolyJet

Prints

3,142

2,952

901

896

734

683

633

520

506

396

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Highest Rated Desktop Printers

Desktop

Q4’s Highest Rated Desktop Printer has seen the rise again of Prusa Research, moving into the the top two positions. The newer MK2S ending the reign of the MK2 at top spot with a solid 4.89 rating. The follow-up machine, the Original Prusa i3 MK3 is shipping in November and is a machine that builds upon the success of its predecessors. it will be interesting to see if it can make an impact with the one month of data capture it will be involved in once released.

The popular Creality CR-10 that appeared in Q3’s trending machines makes its debut at #7 having received 145 customer reviews. Ultimaker is the most present manufacturer on the list, completing the top ten with machines ranked at #8, #9 and #10.

These are the top 10 rated printers out of 700 printer models listed on our platform, based on print quality ratings from customer review data. Only printers with more than 120 reviews in the quarter are included in these statistics.

Insights

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9

10

Printer Model

Original Prusa i3 MK2S

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Zortrax M200

Form 2

FlashForge Creator Pro

Makergear M2

Creality CR-10

Ultimaker 3 Extended

Ultimaker 2+

Ultimaker 2

Technology

FDM

FDM

FDM

SLA

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

Reviews Print Quality Rating

356 4.89

904 4.88

256 4.87

728 4.86

350 4.85

145 4.85

145 4.84

127 4.83

196 4.79

277 4.78

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Most Used Desktop Printers

Desktop

The Most Used Desktop Printer for Q4 was Prusa Research’s Original Prusa i3 MK2. With it’s continued popu-larity after topping the trending printers section at the start of the year (Q1, Q2) it’s no surprise to see it now topping the most used list. The Form 2 is not far behind with only 700 prints in it and it again creating over 10,000 prints, showing it’s dominance as the only SLA machine making the top ten.

The Makergear M2 lives up to its workhorse reputation finishing a solid #9 moving up from #10 in Q3 with 2,817 prints made. The Ultimaker 3 Extended enters the list for the first time at #4 with close to 6,000 prints made, doubling the output of the Ultimaker 3 from Q3 which finished with 2,256 prints made.

These are the top 10 most used desktop printers out of 700 printer models listed on 3D Hubs. The data is based on customer prints from the previous quarter.

Insights

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Printer Model

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Form 2

FlashForge Creator Pro

Ultimaker 3 Extended

Original Prusa i3 MK2S

Ultimaker 2

Zortrax M200

Makerbot Replicator 2

Makergear M2

PowerSpec Ultra 3D

Technology

FDM

SLA

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

FDM

Prints

11,516

10,819

6,624

5,721

3,841

3,633

3,213

3,136

2,817

2,330

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Trending Printers

Desktop

Trending Printers in Q4 hasn’t seen the four figure growth numbers of trend reports past, in a large part due to the 3D Hubs waiting list now online to help manage supply numbers geographically in relation to demand.

That being said the affordable SLA machine from Wanhao, the Duplicator 7 has taken #1 spot with 166.7% growth this quarter. The Creality CR-10 continues its rise as well, moving from #3 to #2 most trending machine. Its price point and 300 x 300 x 400 mm build size is making it an affordable option for those looking to create large multi-part assemblies or protoypes.

Only online printers with a quantity of 50+ on our platform are included in these statistics.

Insights

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Printer Model

Wanhao Duplicator 7

Creality CR-10

Original Prusa i3 MK2S

Ultimaker 3

Tevo Tarantula

ANET 3D - A8

Monoprice MP Select Mini

Form 2

Ultimaker 2+

Original Prusa i3 MK2

QoQ Growth

166.7%

86.7%

64.6%

14.8%

14.2%

13.2%

10.7%

7.7%

6.0%

4.5%

Postion Change

New

+1

-2

+6

+2

+2

New

New

New

New

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Printer Manufacturer Distribution

Models & Manufacturers

Printer Manufacturer Distribution continues to evolve since we began using exclusively active hub data. Q4 shows Ultimaker keep its place at #1 with Prusa Research closing the gap after gaining 1.1% market share since Q4, now hitting 7.1% overall market share. With the release of the Original Prusa i3 MK3 and Ultimaker’s continu-ally popular Ultimaker 3 series it will be interesting to see how the gap at the top changes in Q1 after the winter months.

New third place entrant Formlabs takes 5.2% total market share as its Form 2 machine continues to be popular across the world. The new Formlabs Fuse 1 desktop SLS machine has potential to increase that share in 2018 with beta units shipping in late 2017 and non-beta units expected to begin shipping in Spring 2018.

Only online printers are included in these statistics.

Insights

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9

17

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18

12

5

7

13 15

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1416

10.10%

7.10%

5.20%

4.90%

4.90%

3.80%

3.60%

3.10%

2.90%

2.40%

2.40%

49.60%

1. Ultimaker

2. Prusa Research

3. Formlabs

4. MakerBot

5. FlashForge

6. Wanhao

7. Zortrax

8. Stratasys

9. 3D Systems

10. Aleph Objects

11. ANET 3D

12. Other

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Printer Model Distribution

Models & Manufacturers

The Most Popular Printer Model is the Original Prusa i3 MK2, as the main flagship machine from Prusa Research this is to be expected after seeing them at #2 for Most Popular Manufacturer. The Form 2 takes the silver medal this quarter moving up two places, finishing in its highest position ever with 3.8% of the active machines listed.

This could be down to desktop SLA machines like the Form 2 giving you the ability to create parts with smooth surfaces and to a high detail. Making it a complimentary technology for those already owning desktop machines looking for an alternative prototyping solution. 3D Printing Trends regular the Ultimaker 2, takes the bronze in at #3 with a respectable 3.6%.

Prusa i3 and RepRap have been excluded from this list as they refer to multiple printers and not one specific printer model. Only online printers are included in these statistics.

Insights

4.6%

3.8%

3.6%

3.5%

2.9%

2.5%

2.2%

2.0%

1.9%

1.4%

1.1%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

63.9%

1. Original Prusa i3 MK2

2. Form 2

3. Ultimaker 2

4. Zortrax M200

5. FlashForge Creator Pro

6. Original Prusa i3 MK2S

7. ANET 3D - A8

8. Makerbot Replicator 2

9. Ultimaker 2+

10. Creality CR-10

11. Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2

12. MakerBot Replicator 2x

13. Ultimaker 3

14. Makergear M2

15. Monoprice MP Select Mini

16. Ultimaker Original Plus

17. LulzBot TAZ 5

18. Ultimaker 2+ Extended

19. Other

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9

17

11

18

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10

19

12

5

7

13

15

6

8

14

16

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Popular Printers by Region (1/2)

Models & Manufacturers

The Popular Printers by Region gives an idea of the global breakdown of market share from manufacturer to manufacturer.

One stand out piece of data from this quarter is the market share growth of the Original Prusa i3 MK2 gaining percentage points in every region it was listed in since Q3. The Ultimaker 2 continues its dominance in Europe holding onto #1. North America remains largely unchanged apart from the appearance of the MK2S creeping into the top 5 at #5, chasing down its predecessor. In Africa the dominance of industrial machines (4 out of 5 in Q3) has now been overtaken by desktop machines becoming the top five most popular.

Prusa i3 and RepRap have been excluded from this list as they refer to multiple printers and not one specific printer model. The data displayed shows the current number of online 3D printing services on 3D Hubs that operate in a specific region.

Insights

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Printer Model

Printer Model

Printer Model

Printer Model

Africa

Caribbean

Asia-Pacific

Central America

Zortax M200

Original Prusa i3 MK2

FlashForge Creator Pro

Robo 3D R1

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Solidoodle 3

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Form 2

Form 1+

Ultimaker 2

Zortrax M200

Duplicator 5S Mini

Hello Bee Prusa

Zortrax M200

Form 2

Flashforge Creator Pro

Felix 3.0

Makerbot Replicator 2

Ultimaker 2

Share

Share

Share

Share

4.8%

18.2%

5.6%

6.9%

4.8%

9.1%

4.5%

6.9%

4.8%

9.1%

3.2%

5.6%

3.6%

9.1%

2.9%

4.2%

3.6%

9.1%

2.7%

2.8%

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Popular Printers by Region (2/2)

Models & Manufacturers

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1

2

2

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3

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4

4

5

5

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Printer Model

Printer Model

Printer Model

Europe

South America

North America

Ultimaker 2

FlashForge Creator Pro

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Zortrax M200

Ultimaker 2

FlashForge Creator Pro

Original Prusa i3 MK2

Sethi3D S3

Form 2

Form 2

Zortrax M200

Makerbot Replicator 2

Ultimaker 2+

Sethi3D

Original Prusa i3 MK2S

Share

Share

Share

6.3%

5.2%

5.0%

5.6%

5.2%

4.8%

5.1%

4.2%

4.3%

4.5%

4.2%

3.2%

3.4%

4.2%

2.9%

Prusa i3 and RepRap have been excluded from this list as they refer to multiple printers and not one specific printer model. The data displayed shows the current number of online 3D printing services on 3D Hubs that operate in a specific region.

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Most Used Technologies

Tech & Materials

The most popular technology is FDM making up 61% of total revenue on the platform. SLS overtakes SLA+DLP this quarter in at #2 with 17%, which is no surprise when looking at the most used industrial machines with 7 out of 10 using this technology.

SLA+DLP is not far behind with 15% carried mostly by the popularity of the Form 2 and helped by the Industri-al SLA machines becoming more popular. PolyJet is a distant #4 with 4%, which has stayed around the same percentage since the Q3 report.

The data displayed shows the breakdown in revenue as a percentage for each technology.

Insights

61%

17%

15%

3%

2%

1%

1%

1. FDM

2. SLS (incl. MJF)

3. SLA + DLP

4. PolyJet

5. CFF

6. Material Jetting

7. Metal Sintering (SLM + DMLS)

1

3

2

45 6 7

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Most Used Materials

Tech & Materials

FDM is the most used technology therefore it comes as no surprise that this can be seen in the Most Used Materials section. PLA is streaks ahead at #1 with a 32% share, in at #2 is ABS with 14%. Standard Resin now holds #3 spot with PA 12, both with 8%. PA 12 has seen an increase in use thanks to being the favoured material used with SLS technology machines and HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology.

FDM Nylon is a new entrant for Q4, with 4% use. It’s high impact strength and excellent chemical resistance make it a good option when prototyping or creating end parts with FDM technology.

The data displayed shows the breakdown in revenue as a percentage for each material.

Insights

32%

14%

8%

8%

4%

3%

3%

1%

1%

26%

1. PLA

2. ABS

3. Standard Resin

4. PA 12

5. FDM Nylon

6. PA 2200

7. PETG

8. Vero (Rigid Opaque)

9. ULTEM

10. Other

1

3

9

2

4

10

5

6

7

8

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

FDM Color Distribution

Tech & Materials

The FDM Color Distribution has seen an even bigger gap appear between black and white. Of all the prints submitted on 3D Hubs 55% are either black 36% or white 19%. Apart from this change at the top, the distribu-tion remains largely unchanged with the exception of blue gaining 1%.

The data displayed shows the most popular colors this quarter, analysing the colors of submitted prints.

Insights

36%

19%

5%

4%

4%

2%

2%

2%

2%

1%

23%

1. Black

2. White

3. Blue

4. Red

5. Grey

6. Orange

7. Green

8. Silver

9. Transparent

10. Yellow

11. Other

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23

4

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9

10

11

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TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Top Print Cities

Geography

London has become the #1 Print City with 2.53% overtaking New York as the city that has created the most prints. The distribution has become greater over the summer months as more cities around the world ordered prints.

Both the U.S and Canada have three cities in the Top Print Cities, with Canada’s three being a large part of the countries total and the U.S’s quite the opposite as the spread has increased. Australia’s Melbourne has entered the top 10 for the first time at #4 with 0.86% and New Zealand’s Auckland in at #7, a busy quarter for the south-ern hemisphere cities.

Insights

The data displayed shows the number of prints ordered last quarter per city as a percentage of the total. Other has been omitted to empha-sise the difference in the top ten cities.

2.53%

1.87%

1.12%

0.86%

0.78%

0.73%

0.67%

0.62%

0.59%

0.59%

1. London

2. New York

3. Dallas

4. Melbourne

5. Paris

6. Edmonton

7. Auckland

8. Montreal

9. Vancouver

10. San Francisco

1

2

34

5

6

7

8

9

10

15

TRENDS Q4 / 2017 3D HUBS

Top Print Countries

Geography

The Top Print Countries has seen an overall increase in distribution since Q3. The U.S and U.K respectively giving up 4.9% and 3.7% in order share whilst maintaining the top 2 places on the podium.

Netherlands take the #3 spot with 6.7%, an increase of 0.3% since Q3. Australia has overtaken Canada in at #4 with an increase of 1.9%. A notable new entrant appearing at #8 is Singapore with 2.9%, the first Asian country to appear in the list.

Insights

The data displayed shows the number of prints ordered last quarter per country as a percentage of the total. Other has been omitted to emphasise the difference in the top ten countries.

39.6%

12.1%

6.7%

6.5%

6.5%

6.1%

3.7%

2.9%

1.6%

1.3%

1.3%

1. United States of America

2. United Kingdom

3. Netherlands

4. Australia

5. Germany

6. Canada

7. France

8. Singapore

9. Italy

10. Spain

11. Belgium

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2

3

4

5

6

7

89 10 11

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