omniture

Frost & Sullivan: 4-D Printing to Usher in Age of Low-Labor, Fast-Paced Product Manufacturing

-- The aerospace, defense, automotive and healthcare industries will lead in the adoption of this technology
Frost & Sullivan
2014-08-21 19:45 3911

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Four-dimensional (4-D) printing develops materials that alter their properties and behaviors based on external stimuli such as changes in temperature. This advanced technology is poised to have a disruptive effect in multiple industries. In the near future, 4-D printing will revolutionize the business landscape by printing objects ranging from human organs to parts used in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Advances in 4-D Printing, expects the aerospace, defense, automotive and healthcare industries to be the first to adopt 4-D printing technology after its commercialization. Other industries will follow suit as the technology matures.

For complimentary access to more information on this research, please visit: http://bit.ly/1z2zgxs.

"4-D printing, an extension of three-dimensional printing, is superior to conventional manufacturing techniques in terms of performance, efficiency and quality, and can create new products with increased capabilities," noted Technical Insights Research Analyst Jithendranath Rabindranath. "Unlike conventional manufacturing techniques, it facilitates self-assembly of materials required to manufacture parts and products, thereby speeding up the process and reducing the need for labor."

Much work remains for market participants, as 4-D printing technology is in an early stage of development. Rapid prototyping technology has not yet been widely tested for large-scale applications and physical object manufacturing, and thus the validity of 4-D printing technology for such implementation scenarios has not been clearly demonstrated.

As with any new technology, the initial implementation cost of 4-D printing is an adoption hurdle. In cases where companies are willing to make this investment, product prices tend to be high in order to recover costs incurred and maintain profitability levels in the face of modest production volumes.

"After a few years of mass commercialization, the cost of employing 4-D printing technology will decrease, prompting several companies across a wide range of industries to integrate this technology into their manufacturing systems," stated Rabindranath. "Uptake will also strengthen due to the positive funding environment, which encourages confederations, research laboratories, universities, startups and big market participants especially in North America to invest in R&D."

Advances in 4-D Printing, a part of the Technical Insights (http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com) subscription, offers insights on nine dimensions of 4-D printing technology: year of impact, market potential, global footprint, IP activity, funding, breadth of industries, impact on megatrend, potential points of convergence, and size of the innovation ecosystem. Further, this research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.

Our "Growth Partnership" supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

  • The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
  • The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact Us: Start the discussion 
Join Us: Join our community 
Subscribe: Newsletter on "the next big thing" 
Register: Gain access to visionary innovation

Advances in 4-D Printing
D545-TI

Contact:
Ariel Brown
Corporate Communications - North America
P: +1 (210) 247.2481
F: +1 (210) 348.1003
E: ariel.brown@frost.com

http://www.frost.com
http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com

Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140821/8521404694LOGO

Source: Frost & Sullivan
collection