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Digital manufacturing trends Q2 2018

The newly named Digital Manufacturing Trends for Q2-2018 has been released.

Written by George Fisher-WIlson

The newly named Digital Manufacturing Trends for Q2-2018 has been released, you can check it out here . The reason for the name change? Protolabs Network now provides a plethora of manufacturing technologies which will gradually be added to the report creating a comprehensive look at the state of digital manufacturing, all in one place.

Since Q1-2018 three areas of data are omitted which can still be found below. The reason for this change is down to the Protolabs Network waiting list being introduced to help balance supply and demand geographically. This waiting list has meant a slow down in new printers added making categories such as Trending Printers, Printer Model distribution and Printer Manufacturer distribution less relevant. We understand that this information for some is still interesting so we've made sure to publish it here.

Trending Printers

Printer Model Growth Previous Rank
Wanhao D7 1000%
Prusa Research Original Prusa i3 MK3 600%
Creality CR-10 S5 475%
Creality CR-10 34% 1
Original Prusa i3 MK2S 18.5% 2

Printer Model Distribution

Rank Printer Name Ratio
1 Original Prusa i3 MK2 4.4%
2 Form 2 4.2%
3 Zortrax M200 3.6%
4 Ultimaker 2 3.6%
5 Original Prusa i3 MK2S 2.8%
6 FlashForge Creator Pro 2.8%
7 ANET 3D - A8 1.9%
8 Ultimaker 2+ 1.9%
9 Makerbot Replicator 2 1.8%
10 Creality CR-10 1.8%
11 Ultimaker 3 1.1%
12 Makerbot Replicator 2x 1.1%
13 Ultimaker 2+ Extended 0.9%
14 Raise3D N2 Plus 0.9%
15 Makergear M2 0.9%
16 Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2 0.9%
17 Lulzbot Taz 5 0.9%
18 BCN3D SIGMA 0.8%
19 Lulzbot Taz 6 0.8%
20 Ultimaker Original Plus 0.8%
21 Form 1+ 0.8%
22 FlashForge Dreamer 0.7%
23 Prusa i3 Hephestos 0.7%
24 Makerbot Replicator 5th Gen 0.7%
25 Ultimaker 3 Extended 0.7%
26 Other 57.6%

Printer Manufacturer Distribution

Rank Manufacturer Ratio
1 Ultimaker 10.2%
2 Prusa Research 7.2%
3 Formlabs 5.7%
4 MakerBot 4.7%
5 FlashForge 4.6%
6 Zortrax 3.8%
7 Wanhao 3.4%
8 Stratasys 3.0%
9 3D Systems 3.0%
10 Aleph Objects 2.4%
11 Other 51.8%

Find out more industry data in the Digital Manufaturing Trends here including:

  • The highest rated industrial and desktop 3D printers based on customer reviews

  • The most widely used manufacturing technologies and materials

  • The most popular CNC materials and finishes being used in industry

  • The popularity of manufacturers and printer models

  • The top cities and countries doing the most 3D printing

Our 3D Printing Trends Report for 2020 is now available for download here.