A brand new report printed by the European Patent Workplace (EPO) exhibits that innovation in additive manufacturing, often known as 3D printing, has boomed previously decade. The free to obtain examine, titled Innovation Traits in Additive Manufacturing, finds that between 2013 and 2020, worldwide patent households in 3D printing applied sciences grew at a median annual fee of 26.3% – practically eight instances sooner than for all expertise fields mixed in the identical interval (3.3%).

The 3D printing market has additionally develop into extra various. Whereas beforehand the primary gamers have been established engineering firms, there are actually additionally many start-ups and specialised additive manufacturing firms rising. In whole greater than 50,000 worldwide patent households (IPFs) for 3D printing applied sciences have been filed worldwide since 2001. An IPF represents a big invention for which patent functions have been filed for 2 or extra international locations worldwide.

“With this examine, we’re taking a world perspective on the 3D printing revolution utilizing worldwide patent information to report on the scope and implications of this expertise development,” stated EPO President António Campinos. “Europe secured 4 of the highest ten spots for analysis establishments in additive manufacturing innovation. This bodes nicely for the longer term since technical progress on this area usually stems from the cutting-edge analysis in these establishments.”

US, German, and Japanese firms on the forefront

Europe and the US are main the worldwide race for 3D printing innovation. The US holds the highest spot, with 39.8% of all IPFs associated to additive manufacturing between 2001 and 2020. Europe (39 EPO member states) intently follows with a 32.9% share. Collectively, these areas account for practically three-quarters of worldwide 3D printing innovation. Japan accounts for 13.9% of all 3D printing IPFs, and China and South Korea for 3.7% and three.1% respectively. Inside Europe, Germany has emerged because the clear chief, accounting for 41% of Europe’s share, whereas France is in second place with 12%.

US, European, and Japanese firms all function within the prime 20 additive manufacturing patent candidates, with the main three being Common Electrical, Raytheon Applied sciences and HP. Siemens, in fourth place, is Europe’s strongest participant, with virtually 1,000 IPFs. Though the checklist of prime firms is dominated by giant engineering firms in a variety of sectors, the additive manufacturing innovation ecosystem consists of a number of specialised 3D printing firms and a vibrant start-up scene as evidenced by the number of smaller entities seen within the EPO’s statistics.

The position of analysis

Universities and public analysis organizations (PROs) additionally contribute considerably to 3D printing innovation. Roughly 12% of 3D printing IPFs have been filed by universities or PROs, which is sort of double their typical share (7%). Each third IPF related to biomaterial developments and each second IPF for 3D printing of organs and synthetic tissue originates from a college or PRO.

Among the many prime ten universities, PROs, or hospitals, 5 are situated within the US. However the clear chief is Germany’s Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, with 221 IPFs. The Taiwanese ITRI is the one Asian group to make it into the highest 10, which additionally consists of two French analysis institutes (CNRS and CEA) and the Dutch TNO.

Disrupting quite a lot of trade sectors

Additive manufacturing removes conventional technical restrictions to the economic manufacturing course of, reduces waste and paves the way in which for mass customization. Not a distinct segment expertise, it’s reworking manufacturing in ever extra industries. Since 2010, the well being, medical and transportation sectors have attracted many of the 3D printing functions. Nonetheless, as 3D printing expertise develops for a rising number of supplies, similar to plastics, metals, ceramics, and even natural cells, the speedy development of additive manufacturing functions has additionally been noticed in tooling, power, trend, electronics, development, and even the meals sector.

Roughly one-fifth of all IPFs printed between 2001 and 2020 are within the well being and medical sector (whole of 10,000 IPFs). Additive manufacturing is especially suited to patient-specific implants and anatomical fashions. The upper-than-average presence of universities, PROs and hospitals amongst patent candidates is defined primarily by the advances in medical functions for 3D printing. In transport, the second-biggest sector, additive manufacturing can be utilized to enhance product growth and serial manufacturing with greater than 7 000 IPFs registered previously decade.

Based mostly on patent information, the EPO’s analysis affords early insights into 3D printing’s potential future makes use of. As a result of patents are filed months and even years earlier than any merchandise seem in the marketplace, patent info can sign the path applied sciences are taking. This report exhibits how important 3D printing is to fostering innovation and sustainability throughout worldwide sectors. It follows the publication of the EPO’s first report on patents and 3D printing in July 2020, which targeted solely on European patents.