AM brings together different technologies, some of which
have existed since the 1950s: computer-aided design (CAD),
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), laser and electron
energy beam technology, computer numerical control (CNC)
machining and laser scanning. Applying these technologies
to a variety of materials led to the start of a whole new industry at the end of the 1980s, generating a growing number
of patent applications. The commercial use of AM emerged
in 1987 with 3D Systems’ stereolithography (SLA), a process
that solidifies thin layers of ultraviolet (UV) light-sensitive
liquid polymer using a laser. The last 30 years have witnessed
the growth of AM into a fully fledged industry.
Initially, AM was almost exclusively used for producing
prototypes, and it soon became well
established in that field.
It has since been deployed to make end-products, and this
is where the sector reveals its strongest growth potential.
AM can provide complex intermediate components and final
products that in the past could only be made by hand or by several consecutive work steps. As almost any geometric
form can be produced by AM, the technology is now used
predominantly for small series of highly complex components. However, the shift from prototyping to end-product
manufacturing requires further development in the sectors
of hardware, e.g. printers and printing methods design and
print software as well as materials used in printing.
Twenty-five companies accounted for about 30% of all AM
patent applications filed with the EPO between 2000 and
2018. They include large companies from a range of sectors,
including transportation, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, information technology, electronics, imaging and consumer
goods, as well as pure 3D-printing specialists such as
Stratasys, 3D Systems and EOS. The US and Europe dominate the ranking, with 11 US companies and eight European
companies in the top 25 applicants. Of the top European
applicants, five are German companies.
