Ashan Dhunna

In 3D printing, a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of the material. 3D printers are faster, affordable as well as easier-to-use with various advantages in shortening time-to-market, minimising manufacturing errors, increasing confidentiality and ensuring cost savings. Different types of materials such as ABS-like, rubber-like, transparent and bio-compatible are also available to cater the requirements of the different sectors. With this, those who design products using 3D software could adopt 3D printers. This technology finds paths into various sectors, including consumer electronics, automotive, entertainment, medical, animation, industrial machinery, jewellery, toy industry, educational institutes, etc.

Immense potentials

“As compared to the global 3D printing market, India is relatively young, but the growth in the country has been very encouraging with more and more companies adopting the technology. The accelerated technology environment in India will prove to be a great impetus for the technology and its adoption thereof,” said Ashan. He added that the launch of Desktop 3D printing systems, 3D printing is made available to business of different sizes. More businesses in SMEs are now benefiting from these office environment friendly-systems, at an affordable price.

Commenting on the future scope of the technology, Ashan asserted, “We do expect to see the adoption trend to grow rapidly for the desktop systems whilst we foresee a steady growth rate for the high-end professional models.” He further mentioned that in the wake of industrial growth hitting 13 percent in the country, the Indian domestic IT sector is estimated to grow $50 billion by 2020, when the overall IT industry size would grow to $175 billion. With this growth momentum, the addressable markets for 3D printing systems will increase considerably, thus perceiving wider scope for Objet’s best-in-class 3D printing technology.

“3D printing market is associated with the 3D CAD industry. As opposed to a 2D programme, 3D CAD systems produce virtual prototype that offers data for subsequent processes. Further, viewing 3D models on screen helps in the early detection of errors. Organisations in the Indian architectural design industry and manufacturing industry are also moving from 2D to 3D CAD environment. The Indian CAD market has undergone rapid transformation in the last few years. The rapid economic growth, coupled with the increase of disposable income in the Indian population, is propelling the growth of manufacturing, construction and automotive industries. Then demand for CAD in educational and engineering institutions and booming small and medium businesses (SMB) segment is adding to this growth.

Further, the government’s favourable policies for infrastructure development are driving force in the growth of CAD market in the architectural segment. The major Indian IT vendors are now moving up the value chain with the offering of outsourced engineering services to their clients. Many MNCs have also set up their in-house R&D centers in India. According to a report by TechNavio, the Indian CAD market is forecasted to reach $166.9 million in 2013 rising from $93.0 million in 2009; thus growing at a CAGR of 15.7 percent over the period,” mentioned Ashan.

Fuelling factors

Mentioning the factors fuelling the growth of 3D printing in India, Ashan mentioned that 3D printing is poised to be a next big thing in the industry as it presents a great opportunity for the segments including software, hardware and prototyping. A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers forecast strong demand for rapid prototyping equipment and technology especially in emerging markets of Indian and China. Additionally, these regions are investing in new R&D and product development centers. Many industry observers and analysts predict 2012 to be a breakthrough year for 3D printing.

“Due to the increasing pressure to market products promptly in the competitive phenomenon, companies have to make faster and accurate decisions during the conceptual phase, and 3D printing facilitates better decision making at an early stage and optimises profits,” remarked Ashan. Use of 3D printing also minimises manufacturing errors. With promptly available prototypes through a 3D printer, designers can make multiple iterations, reducing possibility to redesign products multiple times.

Ashan further mentioned that during the economic slowdown, opting 3D printing over traditional outsourced prototyping also helped business establishments sustain, ensuring significant cost savings. Also, he added, “Last but not the least, producing the prototype in-house with 3D printers also enables to maintain confidentiality of the project, minimising the risk of leaking a design.”

Log jam in adoption

As every technology has certain limitations when it comes to expanding its market, 3D printing is no exception. “Since the present 3D printing market in India is at a nascent stage, there are factors that may be the main reasons behind all that hindering the adoption of this technology. Considering the market being young with the lack of awareness about this new technology, mass adoption of 3D printing in India is still a long way to go. However, some market estimates show that this technology is set to achieve a boom in the next 2-3 years.

Cost factor is another deterrence of 3D printing. Installation of 3D printers in every business set-up in India may not be economically viable now. “However, many companies (manufacturers) today come up with affordable inkjet-based desktop 3D printers, which are being increasingly used for producing 3D prototypes at affordable cost,” said Ashan concerning the factors that hinder the adoption of 3D printing in India.

Objet as leader in 3D printing

Founded in 1998 and currently owning more than 110 patents as well as patent pending inventions, Objet Ltd is a leader pioneering 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing. Serving its rapidly growing global customer base through its offices and a global network of distribution partners, the company provides 3D printing systems that enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development and dramatically shorten time-to-market of new products. Their ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3D printing systems and materials utilise PolyJet polymer jetting technology, to print ultra-thin 16-micron layers.

The market-proven Objet Eden line of 3D printing systems and the Objet24 and Objet30 desktop 3D printers are based on Objet’s patented office-friendly PolyJet technology. While the Objet Connex multi-material family is based on Objet’s PolyJet Matrix technology, which can jet multiple model materials simultaneously and create composite Digital Materials on the fly. All Objet systems use Objet’s FullCure materials to create accurate, clean, smooth and highly-detailed 3D parts. Objet systems are in use by customers worldwide, including Fortune 100 companies, in multiple industries such as automotive, architecture, consumer goods and electronics, dental, defense, education, industrial machinery, medical, medical devices, toys, footwear and service bureaus.

New offering to India

Objet Asia Pacific Ltd, a subsidiary of Objet Ltd, recently unveiled its Objet260 Connex in India, which is a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. Objet260 Connex is the world’s only rapid prototyping system capable to jet two materials at the same time. It is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology, allowing users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet’s recently released ABS-like material. The system can also print a model replica made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.

“The availability of Objet260 Connex will not only ensure high-quality results but we believe that it will also be a preferred choice for a price conscious market such as India. The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office,” conveyed Ashan. The Objet Connex family of 3D printers is the recipient of the ‘EuroMold 2007 Innovation Award’ in recognition of the most innovative developments from the fields of mold-making and tooling, design and application development.

Future plans

“India is a very important market for us where 3D printing and prototyping sector holds huge potentials. Our global experience will be pivotal to establish ourselves as the biggest player in the Indian market. We are following the strategy of distribution through channel partners and have appointed Redington India as our master distributor in the country,” said Ashan. He added that Objet has invested substantially on marketing efforts in India. For instance, a demo center has been set up to showcase Objet 3D printing solutions at Redington in Chennai.

Objet and/or its partners will be participating in a series of seminars and exhibitions. Highlighting the company’s strategic future plans, Ashan remarked India as their key focus for the coming years where could harness a good growth in the country.