Survey: Relatively few CAD users currently use 3D printing in-house

A yearly survey conducted by IT, software and telecom industry research firm Business Advantage Group found that although 65 percent of the CAD users surveyed are aware of 3D printing, only 14 percent use the technology in-house currently. Published as part of its 2014 Worldwide CAD Trends Survey, the findings suggest adoption will grow in the near future: 21 percent expect to be using 3D printers within a year and 32 percent in the next 5 years.

“This growth is likely in all sectors and regions,” said Chris Turner, CEO/Managing Director of Business Advantage. According to the survey, current usage by region shows higher rates in the Americas (26%) than in EMEA (12%) and Asia Pacific (11%). In addition, large companies (28%) showed higher usage than medium (16%) or in small (6%) businesses.

Of those respondents already using or planning to use 3D printing, the main benefits are seen as design improvements (63%), savings in design time (54%) and cost (24%), as well as faster response times to market (38%).

“Of course this survey is with users of CAD technology so it is only predicting growth related to that audience whereas 3D Printing has other applications, so its overall market growth is probably higher than this survey is predicting,” Turner said. “Perhaps less encouraging for 3D Printer manufacturers is the very low brand recognition among CAD users – the majority could not name their brand of 3D printer.”

To download the full 2014 Worldwide CAD Trends Survey, check out the company’s website.
www.business-advantage.com