U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market (By Component: Hardware, Software; By Printer Type: Desktop, Industrial; By Technology; By Software; By Application; By Vertical) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024-2033

The U.S. additive manufacturing market size was estimated at around USD 4.34 billion in 2023 and it is projected to hit around USD 30.08 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 21.35% from 2024 to 2033.

Key Pointers

• By Component, the hardware segment led the market with the revenue share of 65% in 2023.
• By Printer Type, the industrial printer section led the market with the revenue share of 69% in 2023.
• By Technology, the stereolithography segment accounted for the largest share of more than 12% in 2023.
• By Software, the design software segment accounted for the largest share of 35% in 2023.
• By Software, the scanning software segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 21.85% during forecast period.
• By Application, the prototyping segment led the market with the market share of more than 53% in 2023.
• By Application, the functional application segment is expected to register a CAGR of 21.83% from 2024 to 2033.

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Overview 

The U.S. additive manufacturing (AM) market has emerged as a dynamic and transformative force within the manufacturing landscape. Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing has evolved from a niche technology to a key driver of innovation across various industries. This overview provides insights into the current state, key trends, and factors influencing the growth of the U.S. additive manufacturing market.

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Growth

The growth of the U.S. additive manufacturing market can be attributed to several key factors propelling the industry forward. Technological advancements play a pivotal role, with continuous innovations enhancing precision, speed, and scalability of 3D printing processes. The expansive development of new materials compatible with additive manufacturing, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, contributes significantly to the versatility and applicability of the technology across various sectors. The cost efficiency associated with additive manufacturing, reducing waste and enabling on-demand production, is a driving force for businesses seeking streamlined and economical manufacturing solutions. Rapid prototyping capabilities further accelerate product development cycles, offering a competitive edge in time-to-market strategies. Additionally, the unparalleled design freedom provided by additive manufacturing fosters innovation, allowing the creation of complex geometries and customized products. 

Report Scope of the U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Rapid Prototyping: Additive manufacturing facilitates rapid prototyping, allowing businesses to accelerate their product development cycles. This speed in prototyping not only enhances innovation but also provides a crucial competitive advantage by reducing time-to-market for new products.
• Innovation and Design Freedom: The U.S. additive manufacturing market is driven by its capacity to offer unparalleled design freedom. The technology allows for the creation of complex geometries and intricate structures that were previously challenging or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods, fostering innovation across industries.

Restraints

• Initial Investment Costs: While additive manufacturing offers long-term cost benefits, the initial investment in technology, equipment, and training can be substantial. This upfront cost can act as a barrier for smaller businesses, hindering their ability to adopt additive manufacturing solutions.
• Post-Processing Challenges: Depending on the application, 3D-printed components often require post-processing to meet specific quality standards. The necessity for additional steps, such as surface finishing or heat treatment, can add complexity to the production process and may slow down the overall manufacturing timeline.

Opportunities

• Industry-Specific Applications: The U.S. additive manufacturing market presents vast opportunities for industry-specific applications. From aerospace and healthcare to automotive and consumer goods, the ability to customize and optimize designs opens doors for innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of each sector.
• Supply Chain Resilience: As businesses increasingly prioritize supply chain resilience, additive manufacturing offers an opportunity to decentralize production. The technology enables distributed manufacturing, reducing dependency on centralized manufacturing facilities and minimizing the impact of disruptions.

Component Insights

Based on components, the market has been further segmented into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment led the market with the revenue share of 65% in 2023. The hardware segment has benefitted significantly from the growing necessity of rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing practices. The expansion of the hardware segment can be primarily attributed to several factors, including swift industrialization, rising adoption of consumer electronic devices, the development of civil infrastructure, accelerated urbanization, and the optimization of labor expenses.

Technological proliferation, growing penetration of rapid 3D printing processes, such as rapid prototyping, and increasing applications across various industry verticals are the factors likely to propel the demand for various AM components. This technology enables the step-by-step production of 3D objects, interconnected through a system that utilizes relevant digital files. Aircraft production indirectly relies on mass 3D printing. 3D printing is faster and cheaper because it is well-equipped to create complex parts. It is often used as a master pattern for urethane casting of large aircraft parts. 3D printed designs are initially used to integrate multiple components into a fluid assembly. Thus, the use of additive 3D printing hardware technologies and 3D printing software in various industrial sectors is expected to boost the growth of the market.

Printer Type Insights

Based on the printer type, the market has been further segmented into industrial and desktop 3D printers. The industrial printer section led the market with the revenue share of 69% in 2023. The higher share of industrial printers can be attributed to the extensive adoption of industrial printers in industries, such as automotive, electronics, aerospace & defense, and healthcare. Prototyping, designing, and tooling are some of the most common industrial applications across these industry verticals. The widespread embrace of additive manufacturing in prototyping, design, and tooling is fueling increased demand within the industrial sector. Consequently, the industrial printers segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period.

On the contrary, the utilization of desktop 3D printers was initially confined to hobbyists and small enterprises. However, their application has now expanded to encompass household and domestic functions. In addition, within the education sector, which encompasses schools, educational institutions, and universities, desktop printers are increasingly employed for technical training and research endeavors. Furthermore, small businesses are notably adopting desktop printers and broadening their operational scope to include additive manufacturing and associated services. A noteworthy trend in this regard is the emergence of 'fabshops,' gaining popularity in the United States.

Technology Insights

Based on technology, the market has been further segmented into stereolithography, fuse deposition modeling (FDM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser sintering (SLS), inkjet, polyjet, laser metal deposition, electron beam melting (EBM), digital light processing, laminated object manufacturing, and others. Stereolithography segment accounted for the largest share of more than 12% in 2022. At present, the stereolithography technology holds the largest share as it happens to be one of the oldest and most conventional printing technologies. While the benefits and operational simplicity of stereolithography technology are promoting its adoption, progress in alternative technologies and R&D initiatives by industry experts and researchers are creating avenues for a range of other efficient and dependable technologies.

FDM also accounts for a considerable revenue share of nearly 11% in 2023, owing to extensive technology adoption across various 3DP processes. DLP, EBM, inkjet printing, and DMLS are also expected to witness a growing adoption over the forecast period, as these technologies are applicable in specialized additive manufacturing processes. The growing demand for numerous components & systems from aerospace & defense, automotive, and healthcare verticals would open opportunities for adopting these technologies.

Software Insights

Based on software, the market has been further segmented into design software, inspection software, printer software, and scanning software. The design software segment accounted for the largest share of 35% in 2023 and is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. Design software is used to construct the object's designs to be printed, particularly in automotive, aerospace & defense, and construction & engineering verticals. It acts as a bridge between the objects to be printed and the printer's hardware. Demand for scanning software is estimated to grow due to the trend of scanning objects and storing scanned documents.

The segment is also expected to witness rapid growth and generate considerable revenues owing to the rising adoption of scanners. The scanning software segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 21.85% from 2024 to 2033. 3D printing is a complicated process requiring various software to function correctly. As scanning the part that needs to be printed should be accurate up to the millimeter of its size, this software plays a vital role. Various software, such as design, inspection, printer, and scanning, help in solid modeling that generates a lightweight and manifold model. The U.S. is one of the leading creators of the software for additive manufacturing.

Application Insights

Based on application, the market has been further segmented into prototyping, tooling, and functional parts. The prototyping segment led the market with the market share of more than 53% in 2023. In particular, the automotive and aerospace & defense industries leverage prototyping to precisely design & develop parts, components, and intricate systems. This approach allows manufacturers to achieve heightened precision & produce reliable end products. Consequently, the prototyping segment is well-positioned to uphold its market leadership throughout the forecasted duration. Functional components include compact joints and various metallic hardware connecting different parts. Precision and accurate sizing are of utmost importance when engineering machinery and systems.

Thus, the functional application segment is expected to register a CAGR of 21.83% from 2024 to 2033, driven by the rising demand for design & fabrication of these crucial parts. The U.S. is one of the prominent countries to use 3D printing extensively. 3D printing is used in various places, such as education, prototyping & manufacturing, and medicines. The U.S. is utilizing 3D printing in space and the aviation sector as well. For instance, in March 2023, a 3D-printed rocket called Relativity Space Terran 1 was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Vertical Insights

Based on verticals, the market has been further segmented into separate verticals for desktop and industrial additive manufacturing. The desktop additive manufacturing vertical comprises educational purposes, fashion & jewelry, objects, dental, food, and others. The verticals considered for industrial 3DP comprise automotive, aerospace & defense, healthcare, consumer electronics, industrial, power & energy, and others. The aerospace & defense, healthcare, and automotive verticals are anticipated to contribute significantly toward the growth of the U.S. industrial additive manufacturing owing to the active adoption of technology in various production processes associated with these verticals. In the healthcare sector, additive manufacturing plays a pivotal role in advancing the development of artificial tissues and muscles that closely mimic natural human tissue, offering promising solutions for replacement surgeries.

These capabilities are poised to stimulate the adoption of 3D printing across the healthcare industry, making a substantial contribution to the growth of the industrial segment. Conversely, the dental, fashion & jewelry, and food sectors are forecasted to make significant contributions to the expansion of the U.S. desktop additive manufacturing market in the foreseeable future. The dental field held a dominant position in 2021 and is projected to maintain its leadership in this segment. Furthermore, the utilization of additive manufacturing in the production of imitation jewelry, miniatures, artistic creations, as well as clothing and apparel, is steadily gaining traction. The automotive industry has witnessed a significant uptick in the adoption of 3D printing technology.

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Key Companies

• 3D Systems, Inc.
• Stratasys Ltd.
• Arcam AB
• GE Additive
• HP Inc.
• Materialise NV
• Proto Labs, Inc.
• EnvisionTEC, Inc.

U.S. Additive Manufacturing Market Report Segmentations:

By Component

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

By Printer Type

• Desktop 3D Printer
• Industrial 3D Printer

By Technology

• Stereolithography
• Fuse Deposition Modelling (FDM)
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
• Polyjet Printing
• Inkjet printing
• Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
• Laser Metal Deposition
• Digital Light Processing
• Laminated Object Manufacturing
• Others

By Software

• Design Software
• Inspection Software
• Printer Software
• Scanning Software

By Application

• Prototyping
• Tooling
• Functional Parts

By Vertical

• Industrial Additive Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Healthcare
  • Consumer Electronics
  • Power & Energy
  • Others
• Desktop Additive Manufacturing
  • Educational Purpose
  • Fashion & Jewelry
  • Objects
  • Dental
  • Food
  • Others