3D Metrology Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Coordinate Measuring Machine, Optical Digitizer & Scanner, Automated Optical Inspection, Video Measuring Machine), By Application (Quality Control & Inspection, Reverse Engineering, Virtual Simulation) By End-user (Electronics, Architecture & Construction, Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, Automotive, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029.

The 3D metrology market size was valued at USD 11.54 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 12.60 billion in 2022 to USD 38.97 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.5% during the forecast period (2022-2029). Asia Pacific accounted for a market value of USD 6.07 billion in 2021 with a market share of 52.6% in 2021. 

Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of -2.6% in 2020 as compared to 2019. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with 3D metrology experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels.

3D metrology is a new technique to measure the dimensions of components without physically touching them frequently. It is the scientific way to study physical measurements. In the case of manufacturing, it is used to measure fixtures, machined components, and tools. It is generally used to measure height, distance, and length (three axes x, y, and z). It uses geometric points of the object's surface to measure dimensions and provides much more data than conventional measurement methods such as surface finishing and a ready 3D sketch of the object. This measurement data is obtained by using the coordinate measuring machine. However, new advanced measurement technologies, such as automated optical inspection sensor technologies and Optical Digitizer & Scanner (ODS), are flourishing the evolution of metrology technology, which automatically reduces the dependency on conventional measurement techniques.

The global market has witnessed a significant surge in the last few decades, and it is expected to grow gradually in the forecast period. Also, increasing digitization and the emergence of advanced technology, such as the Internet of Things, in emerging countries are expected to boost the 3D metrology market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Implementation of Lockdown and Labor Migrations Impacted the Market During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, and its impact is being felt globally in the supply chains. This factor has had a negative effect on economic activity around the world. Moreover, the global market is expected to notice a moderate decline in 2020. It will show positive growth in the future, and the moderate decline is attributed to the various manufacturers. Automotive production units that have shut down across India, China, the U.S., and European countries. That challenged the transfer of industrial production around the world. Furthermore, the surge in COVID-19 cases imposed a sudden global lockdown in various countries, which caused a shutdown of various manufacturing plants and disrupted the supply chains of raw materials in several countries.

It is critical to show any industry that has not yet been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the coronavirus outbreak began in late 2019 in China, there have been a number of cases reported. Similar to the other industry verticals, the manufacturers of automotive vehicles and defense and aerospace equipment were shut down, and these industries are heavily dependent on Indian and Chinese companies as the major source of raw materials and components come from China and India. China was the first economy in the world mainly affected by the coronavirus and had all production units shut down.

However, the increasing use of advanced technology for measuring the dimensions in emerging countries has led to rising installation of advanced metrology systems in industries and research labs, such as job shop floors, pre-dispatch inspection units, and research and development labs. China, India, the U.S., Russia, Germany, South Africa, and others are experiencing dynamic improvement in the use of industrial automation and advanced measuring techniques that increased the installation of intelligent measurement system. In addition, many governmental and non-governmental bodies such as the department of legal metrology of India, the national institute of standard technology, the International organization of legal metrology, and others have defined various laws to reduce errors in measurements and increase precision and accuracy, which has driven the 3D metrology market.

LATEST TRENDS

High Demand for 3D Metrology in Asia Pacific to Propel Market Progress

Since the last two decades, the focus of various industrial key players for establishing their manufacturing plants is shifting toward Asia Pacific countries, which had centered in Europe in the 20^th century. It is due to the various strategies adopted by the government authority and key players in emerging countries such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and other countries. The increasing penetration of the manufacturing and automobile sectors in Asia Pacific is creating a need for advanced industrial metrology quality control and measurement techniques. The 3D metrology system is one of the latest and most advanced technologies, which is used to measure the surface parameters such as surface dimensions, surface finishing, area, and others. It takes very less time to measure the parameters such as height, depth, width, and length than conventional methods. Due to its various benefits, 3D metrology techniques are trending in the market.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand for Quality Control and Inspection Application in Automotive Sector to Foster Market Progress

Modern manufacturing units produce billions of units of final products each week. The majority of parts are produced in the automobile sector with very less human interaction.  An assembly line produces a particular part for specific, precise measurement with predefined tolerance and limits. Modern and sophisticated machinery also changes their accuracy due to frictional losses. These changes may be negligible. However, little changes in measurement may cause huge differences when machineries are responsible for producing dimensions sensitive parts for the aerospace and automotive industry. It allows automotive manufacturers to manufacture required products with more accuracy. Moreover, this system provides a highly standard measurement system that gives required limits and tolerances. Coordinate measuring machines (CMM), Optical Digitizer & Scanners (ODS), and automated optical inspection are gaining more popularity in the automotive sector. This factor is driving the 3D metrology market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Initial Investments and Lack of Skilled Workers for 3D Metrology System to Hamper Market Growth

This system is becoming popular in the last few years rapidly. However, the initial cost of the single unit of the product coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and Optical digitizer and scanner (ODS) is much higher than the conventional measurement system. The components such as sensors, transmitters, and receivers used in this system are expensive, which will directly impact the initial retail cost of the overall system. Furthermore, the replacement of the existing measurement system and the adoption of new 3D metrology technology may not be affordable for small-scale industries. Furthermore, the problem, such as the lack of skilled workers for the operation of coordinate measurement machinery, may hinder the 3D metrology market growth during the forecast period.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

CMM Segment Generated Highest Revenue in 2021 due to Heavy Demand from the Automotive Sector

Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) generated the highest revenue in the coming years due to the increasing adoption of advanced measurement technology and will continue the trend during the forecast period due to the increasing use of advanced quality control techniques in the automobile and manufacturing industries. The Optical Digitizer & Scanner (ODS) segment is showing significant growth opportunities, and this trend will be followed by the Video Measuring Machine (VMM) segment during the forecast period. Automated optical inspection is growing moderately due to ongoing development in optical technology.

By Application Analysis

Quality Control & Inspection Segment Generated Highest Revenue in 2021 due to Heavy Application in Manufacturing Industry

The demand for quality control and inspection in the manufacturing and automobile sectors has been increasing owing to the need for more precise end products. 3D metrology is easily compatible with any object and job where the physical instrument is not able to reach properly. Products such as coordinate measurement machines are widely used in quality control and inspection in automobile, aerospace, and defense industries. However, the virtual simulation segment is recorded as the highest growing segment with the highest CAGR in the forecast year. The increasing use of wireless connection devices may boost the adoption of virtual simulation technic. 

By End-user Analysis

Automotive Segment Generated Highest Revenue in 2021 due to Increasing Adoption of Co-ordinate Measuring Machine

Due to numerous benefits of this technology in the automobile manufacturing processes, the automotive segment generated the highest revenue in 2021. Numerous automotive manufacturers are choosing coordinate measuring machines for quality control and inspection in the factory, thereby driving the market globally. The manufacturing segment is following the same growth trends of the automotive segment, and the aerospace & defense segment is estimated to generate the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Furthermore, the revenue generated by the number of unit sales of CMM in the automobile and aerospace & defense segment is very high as the use of optical digitizer and scanner devices is very frequent in this segment, which will create lucrative opportunities in the market. However, the electronics and architecture & construction segments showcased moderate growth during the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS 

The Asia Pacific 3D metrology market size stood at USD 6.07 billion in 2021 and is expected to rise as a dominating region in the global market during the forecast period. The increasing use of contactless quality control equipment and measuring techniques and in the automotive production and manufacturing industry drives the market in the region. Moreover, top key players are adopting various business strategies, thereby facilitating market growth in the region.

China Generated Highest Revenue in 2021 Attributable to the Progress of the Manufacturing Sector

China is the highest revenue-generating country. Also, as per the analysis, it will become the highest growing country during the forecast period. China has the most advanced manufacturing facility globally and is rapidly adopting emerging technologies such as reverse engineering and virtual simulation in the regular manufacturing operation, which will boost the product adoption in the country.

Some top key players are adopting various business strategies such as partnership, acquisition, and business expansion to boost the market in the country. Also, China is a global CMM machine sensor manufacturing hub for manufacturing, which, in turn, may drive the market growth.

Asia Pacific is the highest growing segment in the forecast period due to the availability of top key players in India and China. Furthermore, the growing number of small and medium-scale system manufacturers in emerging countries such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea and the increasing use of virtual simulation in the energy and power industry are contributing toward boosting the market growth in the region. Also, some government authorities are taking initiatives such as the make in India campaign in India is expected to drive the market’s progress in the region.

Moreover, in North America, the U.S. market is expected to flourish significantly during the forecast period due to the adoption of advanced technology in aerospace and defense as well as in the manufacturing sector in the U.S. and Canada are anticipated to fuel market’s progress.

In Europe, France dominated the market in 2021, attributable to the heavy penetration of automotive and aerospace industries in the country, and is expected to continue this trend during the forecast period. Moreover, Germany is estimated to hold the highest CAGR in the forecast period due to the availability of large manufacturing units in the country.

Due to slower adoption of advanced metrology technology and lack of availability of skilled workers required to operate Video Measuring Machines (VMM) and Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) in Middle East & Africa and South America regions, the market growth is moderate.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS 

FARO Technologies Focus on Increasing their Regional Presence 

Among the top key players, FARO Technologies holds the highest market share globally since it is a major manufacturer of sensors and scanners, which is the main component of a 3D measurement system. Also, this company provides raw materials to other players in the global market. Furthermore, companies, such as Hexagon AB, Intertek Group Plc, Nikon Corporation, KLA Corporation, Keyence Corporation, Perceptron, Inc., Renishaw Plc, Applied Materials, and others, have set up their production plants in various countries, where the production and labor cost is less as compared with others. This will contribute to the growth of the market. Furthermore, major players focus on product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships with various small and medium-sized companies to expand their regional presence.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Zeiss International (Germany)


• FARO Technologies, Inc. (U.S.)


• Hexagon AB (Sweden)


• Intertek Group Plc (U.K.)


• Nikon Corporation (Japan)


• KLA Corporation (U.S.)


• Keyence Corporation (Japan)


• Perceptron, Inc. (U.S.)


• Renishaw Plc (U.K)


• Applied Materials (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2021- Shree Rapid Technologies partnered with ZEISS International to market and promote Machine Measuring and Scanning technology in India. This partnership will bring advancement in contactless measurement technology in India.


• May 2021- ZEISS International acquired Capture 3D, which is the U.S. partner of GOM 3D non-contact measuring solutions. With this acquisition worldwide, customers of ZEISS International will benefit from a seamless integrated experience to get the best measuring solutions for their specific tasks. Also, with the adoption of this strategic move, ZEISS International expanded its business footprints in the U.S.


• April 2022- FARO Technologies, Inc., which provides 4D digital reality solutions, launched its new end-to-end 3D digital reality capture & collaboration platform. This platform uses cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing to analyze and store measurement data.


• June 2021 - FARO Technologies, Inc. acquired HoloBuilder, Inc. HoloBuilder’s technology platform provides general contractors a solution to efficiently capture and virtually manage construction progress using off-the-shelf 360° cameras. By using this technology, FARO Technologies will be able to enhance its product’s quality.


• May 2021 - Nikon Corporation partnered with its MENA3D. This strategic move will expand their sales partnership and mutual approach to provide state-of-the-art metrology and optical inspection solutions in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global 3D metrology market report provides a detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product/service types, and end-users of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights into the key market trends and highlights the key industry developments. In addition to the abovementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market growth in recent years.

Report Scope and Segmentation