We are approaching AITA’s tenth year of activity: how has the sector changed during this period?
When in 2014, the spin-off AITA was created thanks to the long work of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the topic of additive technologies was in full “hype” mode. Expectations, in many cases resulting from a poor knowledge of the subject, were much higher than the real potential. Today, the sector has a quite defined structure in Italy and worldwide. In particular in Italy, I can proudly say that AITA did its part, too. But we should also consider that, over a period of ten years, everything has changed: many industrial processes previously carried out with traditional technologies are now the preserve of additive manufacturing. Forget about the term “prototyping technology,” an appellation that was given to this industry in the first few years by those who observed it with a mixture of concern and distrust.
Owing to the increase in the number of materials that can be used for 3D printing, to the introduction of large printers for the building sector and the industry, to bioprinting, to the integration of advanced technologies, such as AI and robotics, to the implementation of standards that improve the interoperability among different platforms, the AM sector has been developing in fields of application that were previously unthinkable.
What impact will the issues linked to sustainability have on the future of the sector?
Additive and sustainability are necessarily interdependent. 3D printing enables the production of complex components without the need to assemble different parts and by using only the amount of material actually necessary to create an object, thus considerably reducing scraps. In addition, the development of 3D printing with biodegradable and recyclable materials should not be underestimated and nor should the logistics factor, as additive manufacturing allows to bring the production of parts closer to the place of use, thus reducing environmental pollution.
Do you think that the sector has reached the maximum of its production capacity or will there be other developments?
I think that what we are observing is the “tip of the iceberg” with regard to what will happen in the next decade. As a testimony to this, I would like to mention two studies: the first one, carried out by EPO (European Patent Office), highlights that patent applications for additive manufacturing solutions have increased at an average annual rate of about 30% over the last decade, so that total applications are six times higher than those for other high-tech sectors. The second study, conducted by Oxford Economics, shows how the additive sector tripled its worldwide turnover between 2016 and 2022, going from about 6 to 18 billion dollars. A business in which the United States and Europe take the lion’s share and Italy is firmly among the most important markets with a 4.7% share of total volume, behind only the USA, Germany and China.
However, we are talking about an estimated economic volume, because the industry-specific customs codes were created only in 2022 thanks to the work carried out by CECIMO with the contribution of AITA. As soon as we have sufficient historical data records, these codes will allow to describe trade quantitatively and globally, as has already been the case with machine tools for decades.
| “… today materials do not represent a constraint. Applications and performances can determine the choice of use among metals, polymers or composites… The appointment with piùAdditive offering very interesting business opportunities to the industry players exhibiting in the area …” |
What are the connections among additive technologies, machine tools and other manufacturing sectors?
When it was created, AITA adopted the slogan “Machine Tools of the Third Kind”, also because it was a direct emanation of UCIMU and to emphasize the applications of metal additive manufacturing, which are contiguous with those of traditional machine tools.
Nevertheless, today, a material does not represent a constraint for design engineers and users. On the other hand, applications, performances and cost options can determine the choice of use among metals, polymers or composites. All these are materials that additive manufacturing can successfully manage and often put in comparison with each other. For example, a composite can successfully perform a task that was previously exclusive to a metal or, thanks to the well-known concept “complexity is free”, an expensive (high-performance) metal can replace another one that is cheaper but must be used in larger quantities in traditional processes, leading to higher production costs.
In addition to metals and polymers, there is a wide selection of other materials ranging from precious metals, waxes and foundry earths to ceramics and cement, thanks to which, presumably, these technologies will also play a leading role in a “conservative” sector, such as construction.
AITA is a sponsor of piùAdditive, the exhibition area organized by BI-MU that returns in 2024 after the success of its past editions: what do you expect?
Italy’s great manufacturing tradition, the economic data mentioned above, the fact that Italy is in the Top 10 for the number of patent filings in the field, whereas it is confirmed second in the EU for industrial installations: these are signs that make our country a market with very high potential for the development of additive manufacturing. However, although the market is still maturing, what everyone agrees on is the importance of ongoing research and development and thus of exchange of ideas among all players involved. This raises high hopes for the new edition of piùAdditive, the exhibition area sponsored by AITA within 34.BI-MU – the biennial machine tool, robotics, automation, digital and additive manufacturing exhibition, scheduled to take place at fieramilano Rho, from 9 to 12 October 2024.
What are the initiatives planned by AITA for the next BI-MU?
Also within piùAdditive, AITA will be present with its own stand and will directly curate the application examples showcased; the schedule of speeches arranged by the organizers and by companies, universities, research centers and European projects; the “Women in 3D printing” roundtable that is proposed again after the great success achieved in 2022; the presentation of the prototype of Dynamis PRC – the new autonomous driving car from the racing department of the Milan Polytechnic University that competes in the international Formula SAE championship – and much more besides.
This will make 34.BI-MU and piùAdditive even more attractive to the sector operators, offering very interesting business opportunities to the industry players exhibiting in its area, while matching the exhibition dimension with networking and cultural insights.
Interview released in December 2023.
