1.Metal Additive Manufacturing Will Be The Major Focus

Metal 3D printing is still in that sweet spot which hits both rising profits and exciting innovations. A team of engineers recently celebrated the start of the New Year by developing a new method of 3D metal printing with the ability to create a more complex and uniform structure. It is these types of innovations that will propel leading AM players to continue on their growth path in 2016.

2.Supply Will Struggle To Keep Up With Demand

The projected boom in popularity of metal 3D printing brings with it slight concerns, specifically the “do we have enough of this? No? Oh mann” concern. Supply of high quality, metal powders that are free of defect might prove insufficient in the face of rising demand in the sector.

3.The Automotive Industry Will Get In The Game

This isn’t to suggest that car manufacturers aren’t already knee deep in the dye high water of 3D printing, companies like Rolls Royce have long been an advocate for AM, although admittedly more in relation to their aviation business. 2016 will just be the year where they put it all together, preferably using AM parts.

4.Alternative Print Material Feedstocks Will Improve Opportunities For Metal Powders

The aforementioned boom in innovation will undoubtedly lead to new processes in addition to wire-based AM. The most recent leap in AM technology, wire-based is expected to grow substantially in relevance on the back of the aerospace industry. The beauty of which being, the newness of the industry lends itself to as many new competitors springing up as possible.

5.Smaller Footprint Systems Will Drive Growth

If 2014 and 2015 were the years of the large format metal systems, 2016 will be the literal and figurative year of the monkey, with agility and (relative) size valued over the clunky machines of the past. Expect a shift in the market to smaller footprint systems aimed not just at research applications, but for small scale manufacturing as well.