Patent Analytics Report on 3D Printing

Introduction

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is also considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling (subtractive processes).

The term additive manufacturing refers to technologies that create objects through sequential layering. Objects that are manufactured additively can be used anywhere throughout the product life cycle, from pre-production (i.e. rapid prototyping) to full-scale production (i.e. rapid manufacturing), in addition to tooling applications and post-production customization.

The 3D printing technology is used for both prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in architecture, construction (AEC), industrial design, automotive, aerospace, military, engineering, civil engineering, dental and medical industries, biotech (human tissue replacement), fashion, footwear, jewelry, eyewear, education, geographic information systems, food, and many other fields.

Points covered:

• Overview of top companies involved in 3D printing and their publication trend
• Focus on the technologies, materials for 3D printing
• Trends for different applications of 3D printing and their patent activity
• Analyzing key companies within 3D printing

Technical Segmentation (Patent Categories)

Publication Trend

What has been the publication trend for 3D printing?

3d printing publications have emerged from 1990 with the real surge in the activity around this technology has happened in the last 5 years.

It’s clear the current activity around these technologies is likely to continue seeing more innovation in the near future.

Top Players

The top organizations are:

Research activity around world

In terms of regional pockets where patent protection is being sought most frequently for these technologies, US leads the count, followed by the JP and CN. The table below ranks top priority countries and helps provide an indication of where innovation in this area is originating: