01763 249760  office@prototypeprojects.com

Learning Hub
Quote / Order
  • CNC Machining
    • CNC Turning
    • CNC Milling
    • CNC Low Volume Production
    • CNC Materials
    • CNC Finishing
    • Vapour Honing
    • CNC Machining 3-Day
    • Production Speeds
  • 3D Printing
    • SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
    • SLA – Stereolithography
    • MICRO 3D PRINTING
    • Polyjet 3D Printing
    • DLP – Digital Light Projection
    • Filament 3D Printing
    • SLS Dyeing
    • 3D Printing Materials
    • 3D Printing Finishing
    • Production Speeds
    • Additive Manufacturing
    • Additive Prototyping
  • Vacuum Casting
  • Model Making
  • Expertise
    • Low Volume Manufacturing
    • Rapid Prototyping
    • Laser Cutting
    • Inspection
  • Downloads
    • Guides and whitepapers
    • Policies, forms and certificates
    • Process datasheets
    • Prototype materials datasheets
  • About
    • Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our values
    • Payment methods
    • Work with us
    • News & Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Plant list
    • Privacy statement
    • Sustainability
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. 3D Printing
  3. Getting Hype into Perspective: The Gartner Hype Curve on 3D Printing 2015

Getting Hype into Perspective: The Gartner Hype Curve on 3D Printing 2015

Getting Hype into Perspective: The Gartner Hype Curve on 3D Printing 2015

In July 2015, Gartner published its annual “Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies”.

In the report, Gartner shows that 3D printing has expanded much faster than expected and so for the first time it has produced a version of the Hype Cycle just for 3D Printing.

[The Gartner report can be purchased here.]

For those that haven’t come across it before, the Hype Cycle is essentially a curve which charts the evolution of emerging technologies from emergence to mainstream through five stages it calls:

  • Technology Trigger (emerging, early days)
  • Peak of inflated expectations (lots of hype and early interest, possibly sales)
  • Trough of disillusionment (interest in the technology starts to fall away as reality dawns)
  • Slope of enlightenment (technology becomes more established or fades away)
  • Plateau of productivity (successful technologies establish wider adoption)

*(words in brackets are Prototype Projects’ own definitions)

The 3D Printing Hype Cycle Report highlights over 20 separate technology applications or ‘uses’ of 3D printing. It positions each one along the hype curve according in one of the 5 stages according to its current and predicted acceptance or adoption into mainstream industrial processes, education and consumer life.

Of interest to Prototype Projects clients will be the fact that 3D Printing for prototyping is the furthest advanced of all these processes, having just entered the “Plateau of Productivity” phase commonly accepted as mainstream.

In previous blog articles at Prototype Projects, we have consistently drawn the distinction between consumer and industrial 3D printing – the former attracting much media attention and hype, but with little evidence of either affordable price points or satisfactory levels of quality and complexity.

Accordingly, Consumer 3D Printing sits between the “Peak of Inflated Expectations” and the “Trough of Disillusionment”, as reality continues to dawn on the costs and capabilities. Furthermore, with its placing on the Hype Cycle, Gartner predicts that Consumer 3D Printing is 5–10 years away from wider adoption phase.

On a wider level, Gartner says that medical applications are currently leading the advancement in 3D Printing. In particular:

  • Medical products are among the leading and most significant new developments in 3D printing technology
  • Examples include 3D-printed hip and knee replacements
  • Other leading examples are hearing aids and dental devices
  • These medical devices, suggests Gartner, will be mainstream in two to five years.

Prototype Projects specialises in 3D Printing, amongst its many prototyping services. So it is good to see that Gartner’s analysis shows the continuing emergence of 3D Printing bureaus as a major contributor to the overall growth in this field.

This suggests that while there are opportunities for specialist 3D Printing bureaus to cater for the enthusiast home modelling and consumer market, there is still a strong market for manufacturers and design houses to outsource 3D Printing requirement to specialised industrial prototyping bureaus such as Prototype Projects.

It would be remiss of us not to refer to some of the most startling and exciting elements of the report.

And it is R&D bioprinting, i.e. 3D Printing of replacement body parts, that is heading out of the innovation stage for the peak of inflated expectation – but with mainstream adoption still some 5 to 10 years away.

While behind on the curve, 3D Printed hip and knee replacements are developing even more quickly, already among the most common surgical procedures which, combined, form an industry worth an estimated $15 billion.

The prediction for these replacement joint components is that they are just 2 to 5 years away from becoming mainstream, a development which, if it continues to evolve at a similar rate, will revolutionise orthopaedic surgery with promises of improved healing times and function.

For customers of Prototype Projects, we will continue to research, develop and invest in our 3D Printing technologies for prototyping, additive manufacturing and testing.

Whatever your industry or whether you’re a product design specialist, we will always be ready to support your work, your projects and your business.

More information

For more information on our 3D Printing services call us on 01763 249760 or click here to request a quote.

Recent Popular
The Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Low-Volume Production

The Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Low-Volume ...

6 May 2025 Comments Off on The Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Low-Volume Production
Understanding the Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Short Runs

Understanding the Benefits of Vacuum Casting for ...

2 May 2025 Comments Off on Understanding the Benefits of Vacuum Casting for Short Runs
SLA, Vacuum Casting, and Model Making - Versatile Prototyping Processes

SLA, Vacuum Casting, and Model Making – ...

30 April 2025 Comments Off on SLA, Vacuum Casting, and Model Making – Versatile Prototyping Processes
Overcoming a Tricky Build for Prototype Projects

Mini Door, Maximum Challenges: How Our Team ...

29 April 2025 Comments Off on Mini Door, Maximum Challenges: How Our Team Overcame a Tricky Build
CNC Prototyping to Production

CNC Prototyping to Production: Supporting Every Stage ...

22 April 2025 Comments Off on CNC Prototyping to Production: Supporting Every Stage of the Product Development Journey
James Dyson

Sir James Dyson: the man behind the ...

10 May 2019 0
Applications and design tips for SLS: a guide

Applications and design tips for SLS: a ...

27 November 2019 0
Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

22 September 2021 0
silicone tooling

LUMA-iD develops Buddy with silicone tooling

21 July 2022 0
CNC Machining and CNC Turning

Understanding the Difference Between CNC Milling and ...

15 April 2025 Comments Off on Understanding the Difference Between CNC Milling and CNC Turning for Better Design Choices
Tags: 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, SLA

Comments are closed

Next Day Dispatch

Delivering Overnight Printing

Email: office@prototypeprojects.com
Tel: 01763 249760

Prototype Projects Ltd
Units 1&2, Greenfield
Royston,
Herts SG8 5HN

If you have questions about any aspect of our service, please contact us.


    UKAS
    Cert no. 11512-QMS-001
    Cert no. 11512-EMS-001
    Made In Britain - Prototype Projects
    EHAAT proud supporter
    Royston Business Awards - Prototype Projects

    Sign up to our Company and Industry newsletter

    Sign up here

    Prototype Projects, established in 1980, is a specialist in the manufacture of prototypes. The company is experienced in 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Rapid Prototyping, Model Making and Additive Manufacturing. The company is located in Royston, Hertfordshire.

    Trustpilot - Prototype Projects

    About | Our team | Our values | Customers | Work with us

    CNC Machining

    CNC Turning
    CNC Milling
    CNC Materials
    CNC Finishing
    CNC Express
    Production Speeds

    3D Printing

    SLS
    SLA
    Micro 3D Printing
    Polyjet
    Digital Light Projection
    3D Printing Materials
    3D Printing Finishing
    Additive Manufacturing
    Additive Prototyping
    Production Speeds

    Expertise

    Low Volume Manufacturing
    Rapid Prototyping
    Laser Cutting
    Inspection

    Contact us

    Prototype Projects Ltd
    Units 1 &2, Greenfield
    Royston
    Herts SG8 5HN

    office@prototypeprojects.com
    T: 01763 249760

    © 2025 - Prototype Projects | Terms | Privacy | Web Design by Indigo Ross

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    However, you may visit Cookie Settingsto provide a controlled consent. Reject All
    ACCEPT ALL
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT