Technology Development | Looking Back, Looking Ahead

It’s that time of the year where we start to look at what 2019 brought us and what we can expect in the new year. Below we are sharing five of our favorite technology development related ‘look back’ and ‘look ahead’ pieces.

What were the breakthrough technologies for 2019? The answer depends on who you ask. Several common themes have emerged such as cobots, emerging energy source, AI, and cybersecurity breaches.

We live in an age where new technologies hit the market almost daily. The question is will manufacturers find meaningful applications for latest advances? In some instances, it is just a matter of a new technology development hitting the market at the wrong time. In other cases, it may not make sense. When technology has staying power, it often has the ability to revolutionize how manufacturers operate.

As a snapshot of the market’s forecasted growth, the 2019 Wohlers Report — viewed by experts as a top source for the pulse of the 3D printing industry — forecasts that the market value for 2020 is $15.8 billion for all 3D printing products and services worldwide. That figure is expected to surge to $23.9 billion in 2022 and $35.6 billion in 2024. Likewise, a January forecast from Statista shows that global spending on 3D printing in 2019 is projected to be $13.8 billion, up 21.2% from a year earlier.

It’s been a busy decade in the tech space. New innovations emerged and older ones finally matured in ways that have had a major impact. The 2010s brought us the rise of 3D printing, the rebirth of VR, and an explosion in AI technologies. The health industry was all about wearables. And a digital currency gold rush made us rethink encryption.

One of the most consequential aspects of 3D printing is the capability to produce objects that often cannot be manufactured using any other existing technology. At a fundamental level, 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, can consolidate parts in a single assembly. That creates unprecedented design opportunities, but to take full advantage of them, design engineers need to retool their thought process.

What technology developments do you think will have a major impact in 2020 and the next decade?

______

3D Innovations  is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.

Subscribe to the 3D Innovations newsletter on our Facebook page!

Connect with us on  Twitter ,  Facebook  & LinkedIn today.

The post Technology Development | Looking Back, Looking Ahead appeared first on 3D Innovations.