U.S.-based printer manufacturer 3D Systems, which developed, printed, and donated thousands of pieces of PPE and medical equipment parts, says Covid-19 brought interest to the additive manufacturing industry for its ability to bolster supply chains and accelerate product development.

“Through this pandemic, AM has once again been brought to the forefront, but in ways the public didn’t think about before,” says Menno Ellis, SVP and general manager of plastics at 3D Systems. “The ability to quickly produce necessary PPE and diagnostic equipment in response to Covid-19 has demonstrated how the technology plays a key role in healthcare, and, more broadly, manufacturing.”

The general public perception that products, such as plastic swabs and ventilator parts, are only made in a big factory somewhere has forever changed, says Faneca. “People now understand that there are some people who have a machine at home or there are companies like us that are able to produce needed parts anywhere and in a really short time. This is very important, because I don’t think that we had that level of understanding before.”

But will heightened public awareness of 3D printing mean more sales of 3D printers?

Although consumers, newly enamored with the possibilities of home 3D printing, may cause a near-term sales spike for printers in the under $500 range, on the professional side of the industry, the optimism is more long term. “Maybe we’ll see some new additive manufacturing initiatives, perhaps government funded or investor funded, but we won’t see a direct link from this new awareness to sales of printers,” says Faneca.

As an example, hospitals, which were some of the biggest beneficiaries of Covid-19-related 3D printing, are not likely to make large investments in professional printers, Faneca expects, not only because of the cost, but the regulatory environment of healthcare. Yet, in the long-term, the relationships BCN3D forged by printing and donating thousands of dollars worth of PPE to more than 70 Spanish and French medical centers, may yet bear fruit, he says.

For now, however, there’s no denying the negative effects of business shutdowns and looming recessions on professional 3D printer manufacturers. 3D Systems reported printer revenue down by 35.5% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time in 2019. BCN3D also reports cancelled orders and overall revenue declines although the company was still able to manufacture its Sigma, Sigmax, and BCN3D Epsilon 3D printers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Ellis at 3D Systems believes the spotlight on professional 3D printing won’t fade anytime soon.

“Since this has been an industry-wide effort and not just driven by one or two players, there is sufficient visibility and tangible results to ensure there is sustained interest,” he says. Plus, because manufacturers are making far more than a few simple parts or devices, the public is exposed to the breadth of solutions that can be addressed with AM.

“I expect all participants in the AM space, including 3D Systems, will benefit from this awareness,” says Ellis. “There have been a number of cross-industry collaborations to bring solutions to bear for the pandemic, and, in the course of those conversations, we have all come to realize the incredibly important role AM can play as society and companies manage through crises and are increasingly looking to de-risk their operations.”

As conversations turn to reopening global economies, manufacturers hope companies will take a broader look at their supply chains and how they can create greater manufacturing agility using additive manufacturing.

“Because there has been widespread recognition of AM’s positive impact, we have achieved yet another point of real-world validation for our young and evolving industry,” Ellis says, “and that is cause for optimism for all of us in the space.”