There are only a few days left in December, which means it is time to look back on what happened in 2017. No matter how you look back on the changes of the year, it is undeniable that this is an eventful time, and this is indeed the case in the world of 3D printing and the wider world. We saw a lot of big new 3D printer launches in 2016 and no less so in 2017. There are many large industrial systems, as well as a large number of desktops. As usual, crowdfunding platforms are available and trade shows are full of new releases.
So let's take a look at some of the new 3D printers launched this year. As long as it's listed, it shows once again that the 3D printing industry is getting bigger and bigger-more and more machines are emerging, so many that it's impossible to cover them all. Here is a brief introduction!
Industrial 3D printing system
This year, several companies launched major new industrial 3D printing systems. GE added Materials launched a new adhesive spray augmented manufacturing system a few weeks ago, and recently launched the first BETA machine developed for its meter-scale ProjectATLAS system. The Ethereal machine won the CES Innovation Award for its novel 5-axis 3D printer / CNC machine tool hybrid. In other news, Renishaw launched the Renam 500Q four-laser augmentation manufacturing system at formnext, and Trumpf launched TruPrint5000, the fastest and most productive medium-sized 3D printer in the world.
EOS launched EOSP500 this year, while Roboze, which has 500 themes, launched ARGO500. Sharebot has launched two new professional 3D printers and XJet has launched a new NanoParticleJetting system that can be used with ceramic and metal materials. Formalloy launched blue laser technology and the new L-series 3D printers, and XYZprinting entered the industrial 3D printing market with several new professional machines. NanoDimension combines DragonFly2020 and DragonFly2020Pro to the industrial level, and voxeljet introduces the VX200 system into high-speed sintering technology. Wave3D launched the industrial SLAWave3DPro.
Formlabs released its first SLS3D printer this summer, hybrid manufacturing trends continue, another 3D printer / CNC machine tool combination for 3DHybridSolutions and MultiaxInternational, and ORLaser's new ORLASCREATORHybrid. In April, DesktopMetal released the long-awaited Studio system and production system, which caused great market repercussions. A new technology has been introduced through Coobx and LIFT technology, and Carbon has introduced the M23D printer. AckurettaTechnologies introduced a new type of industrial grade DLP3D printer through AckurayA135. Dental market growth remains strong with new dental 3D printers Structo,Stratasys,Prodways and EnvisionTEC.
Desktop 3D printer
A lot has happened in the desktop market this year. EnvisionTEC has launched a number of new versions this year, including Aria, the cheapest 3D printer to date. Kodak introduced dual extruder 3D printers, while Winbo introduced FDM-Value and FDM-ValuePlus3D printers, as well as large format Dragon (L) 4. BCN3D followed its popular Sigma3D printer and larger Sigmax, and redesigned Sigma to bring a new Prusai3MK3 to SigmaR17,Prusa. First Pro 3D Shining3D launched EinStart-C along with the new education package, the educational 3D printing company Dremel released a new 3D453D printer.
This spring, MagicFirm Europe launched industrial desktop ZYYXPro3D printers, and MakerGear launched two new desktop 3D printers. Like Leapfrog's new Industrial Bolt Professional Edition, 888PVC3D printers from AONIQ have entered the growing field of industrial desktop 3D printers. Two new twin extruders have been brought with reliable WASP. Positioning the $100 price STARTT3D printer was introduced by iMakr, XYZprinting, in addition to entering the industrial market, launched a number of new desktop 3D printers, as well as new large-scale and full-color FFF3D printers. After almost shutting down, Ilios3D bounced back with Photon2.
Crowdunded3D printer
As usual, Kickstarter and Indiegogo have been very busy this year, and some of this year's most creative 3D printers have been launched from crowdfunding platforms. MIGO from MakeX can print 3D in a professional backpack, while T3D introduces a SLA3D printer activated by a mobile phone. NaturalRobotics has funded a new desktop SLS3D printer, and crowdfunding has promoted second-generation MOD-t and architect 3D printers. The Cubibot hit Kickstarter's goal, and obsidian reached the crowdfunding goal within two minutes.
Another novel idea comes from the conveyor belt-based BlackBelt3D printer, which achieved its goal in 15 minutes and heralded the trend of conveyor belt 3D printers. Another successful event has launched Bean3D printers, and the Snapmaker campaign shows that hybrid desktop 3D printers are still popular. G3D T-1000SLA3D printers are also popular in Indiegogo, while Milkshake3DSLA3D printers are also favored by artists.
Back in 2017, major news focused on the industrial 3D printer market. The company has not only launched a new system, but also introduced new technology. This does not mean that there is no innovation in the desktop market, and the most innovative technology comes from the crowdfunding platform. Overall, this is a major year for the 3D printing world, and we look forward to more products in 2018.
