R&D Imperative for Rapid Prototyping Equipment Vendors to Expand Revenues and Market Presence

Business Wire, June 18, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c59923) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report: World Rapid Prototyping Equipment Markets to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research titled World Rapid Prototyping Equipment Markets provides a holistic view of the rapid prototyping industry along with revenue forecasts for the various segments, latest technological developments, and market trends in the industry. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: 3D printers, high-end rapid prototyping equipment, and applications such as concept modelling, rapid prototyping, and rapid manufacturing.

Low-cost 3D Printing and Rapid Manufacturing Accelerate the Growth of the Rapid Prototyping Equipment Market

Continuous evolution of 3D printers driven by severe pricing pressures has made concept modeling and rapid prototyping affordable for most end users, thereby spurring explosive growth. Furthermore, the use of additive fabrication technology to directly manufacture the product is gaining significant proportions especially for low-volume applications. Rapid manufacturing is especially useful if part complexity is difficult to conceive in traditional manufacturing processes. It is a significant application of rapid prototyping as it eliminates tooling and machining costs and greatly reduces the time to market of the product.

"Having leveraged and capitalized on the significant potential offered by rapid manufacturing applications, high-end rapid prototyping equipment vendors are marketing their equipment to address rapid manufacturing," notes the analyst of this research service. "Despite the trend toward low-cost 3D printers, growing focus on rapid manufacturing applications is offering several potential growth opportunities to vendors in the total rapid prototyping equipment market." Rapid manufacturing is expected to become mainstream in the future, and eventually drive the growth of the rapid prototyping equipment market.

R&D Imperative for Vendors to Expand Revenues and Market Presence

In order to grow in the potentially favourable rapid prototyping equipment market, vendors must have a thorough understanding of both low-end 3D printers and high-end equipment market segments of the rapid prototyping equipment markets globally. Hence they must constantly focus on research and development (R&D) as well as leverage their capabilities of technology development into commercially realizable products. R&D toward improving existing products, along with developing new products and technologies is imperative for growth in the world rapid prototyping equipment market.

In addition, product positioning holds the key to success for any product, especially in a highly competitive and changing market where severe pricing pressure exists. Knowledge of the rapid prototyping equipment market is vital for companies to exploit the untapped potential opportunities offered by the market. "Competitive information is of primary importance to size the relevance of the opportunities offered and design an appropriate business development strategy," states the analyst. "Taking advantage of specific government grants and incentives for establishing R&D and/or manufacturing facilities in certain development locations could also be a lucrative option."

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c59923