AMR report on 3D scanning forecasts a US$4.9 billion global market by 2020

Allied Market Research (AMR) has released a new report on the global 3D scanning market, which it has forecast to reach US$4.9 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 12.4% from 2014 to 2020. 3D scanning makes it possible to record the details of an object while minimising the overall time, cost and effort required in the process, the company noted. 

While the North American and European regions will contribute more than two thirds of the global revenue share, AMR said that the Asia-Pacific region would also generate significant global revenue by 2020. Drivers for growth include adoption within industries such as healthcare and entertainment, and developments in China, Japan, and India.

Technology-wise, 3D laser scanners are becoming cheaper and more portable, spurring market interest in them. Manufacturers on the rise include Faro Technologies, Direct Dimensions, and Ametek (formerly Creaform), while other companies profiled in the report include Quality Vision International, Direct Dimensions, GOM, Konica Minolta, 3D Digital, Autodesk, 3D Systems, ShapeGrabber and Maptek.

AMR highlighted that industrial applications such as manufacturing, automobile, and defence, have been making use of reverse engineering via 3D scanning. The company mentioned Geomagic's Design X, which captures object details and converts them into computer-readable forms. 

The Global3D Scanning Market (Type, Forms, Services, Applications, Geography) - Industry Analysis, Trends, Share, Opportunities and Forecast, 2013-2020 report can be obtained here.