3D Scanning Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Component (Hardware, Software), By Range (Short Range, Medium Range, Long Range), By Device (Portable, Stationary), By Application (Reverse Engineering, Quality Control and Inspection, Rapid Prototyping, Full Body Scanning), By End-User (Aerospace and Defense, Healthcare, Automotive, Architecture and Construction, Industrial Manufacturing), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

The global 3D scanning market size was valued at USD 5.02 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD  10.90 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period.

3D scanning has become an essential tool in the product lifecycle management (PLM) process and is gaining traction in the market. In the gaming industry, it has revolutionized the way companies model, design, and visualize the real environment. Advances in scanning have simplified and improved the measuring and documenting process in various industries ranging from engineering and manufacturing to healthcare. 

Moreover, modern measurement professionals can gain effieciency by integrating three-domentional scanning into their workflow. In April 2019, ScanTech launched KSCAN 3D scanner, especially for metrology grade measurement. The in-built photogrammetry system helps in expanding the scan area and improves volumetric accuracy.

MARKET TRENDS

Expeditious Utilization of 3D Scanners to Create Digital Models for Virtual Cinematography and Video Games 

In the media and entertainment industry, 3D scanners are utilized for creating digital or 3D models for virtual cinematography and video games. 3D models are created by scanning real objects, including actors, instead of creating the them from scratch. 3D scanners, when used along with computer-aided design (CAD) software, allow designers to make costumes, and props in a few hours. In the gaming industry, scanning is used to examine people, objects, and environment to provide realistic simulation through gamification. Majority of the game developers have started using 3D scanning to create gaming characters to give better user experience to gamers. For instance, in December 2019, American Major League Baseball, a game introduced by Sony Computer Entertainment used 3D laser scanning technology to create game. To give a realistic view to their gamers, they scanned around 1,400 players to produce realistic views of the players.  Moreover, art designers, virtual reality game developers, and Hollywood SFX artists are few of the professionals implementing scanning technologies into their workflows to bring more entertainment into the world of art and design.

MARKET DRIVERS

Prerequisite of 3D Scanning in Product Lifecycle Management to Uplift the Market Growth

Companies are considering 3D scanning as an essential tool in every phase of the product lifecycle management (PLM) process including concept stage, design stage, manufacturing stage, and servicing stage. In the concept stage of PLM, scanning is used in determining requirements and specifications, concept design and prototyping. In design stage, it is used for rapid prototyping, computer-aided design (CAD), testing, simulation and analysis. In the manufacturing stage, it has application in tool design, assembly and production, and quality control. During the servicing stage, it is used for documentation, maintenance, repair and replacement, and for recycling and restoration of parts. For instance, FARO 8-Axis Design ScanArm 2.5C by Faro Technologies, has application in almost every stage of product lifecycle management process. It is used as a scanner in reverse engineering, 3D modeling, and CAD-based design. This growing use or implementation of 3D scanning in PLM processes is supplemetning the 3D scanning market growth.

MARKET RESTRAINT

High Initial Cost Associated with 3D Scanning Solutions to Hinder the Adoption

Even though 3D scanning provides tangible benefits across the production cycle, thereby greatly enhancing the overall design and production process; the initial high cost of the product is limiting the growth of the 3D Scanning market. Also, the company has to spend money in training  their employees to understand the system. As scanning solutions can be integrated with other solutions, it require  technical expertise to do so. Though most of the SMEs have a low budget they usually avoid using scanning solution and instead opt for other alternative inexpensive products which expected to impede the growth of 3D scanning market.

SEGMENTATION

By Component Analysis

Laser Scanner Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share Owing to its Ability to Capture Millions of Data Points in Seconds

On the basis of component, the 3D scanning market has been categorized into hardware and software. The hardware segment is further categorized into laser scanner, structured light scanner, and optical scanner.

3D laser scanner accounts for the largest market share owing to its ability to capture millions of data points in seconds. These scanners use laser light to capture the physical data in environment. Laser scanners are generally ideal for scanning sensitive environment and objects. Furthermore, the structured light scanners are expected to gain popularity in the coming years as most of the manufacturers have started incorporating structured light technology in their handheld 3D scanners. Like laser scanners, structured light scanner can scan the environment in few seconds with great accuracy and efficiency. For instance, in July 2019, Faro Technologies introduced Cobalt Designed structured light scanner series to capture 3D data of complex shapes and details regarding textures and color of object.

By Device Analysis

Handheld 3D Scanner to be the Fastest Growing Segment as it helps in Accessing Areas that are Difficult to Reach

The two types of devices available in the 3D scanning market are portable and stationary.

Stationary 3D scanners are mounted an arm or a tripod that are fixed at a location. These scanners are mostly preferred for scanning large objects like trains, trucks, planes among others. These scanners usually require minimum supervision and interaction with the operator, yet can deliver accurate result in minimum time.

Further, the demand for handheld 3D scanner is expected to rise during forecast period as these scanners helps in accessing areas that are difficult to reach. Unlike stationary scanners, handheld scanners have the ability to capture objects of various sizes ranging from tiny objects to cars.

By Range Analysis

Short Range Scanners Likely to Drive Market Growth due to Less Sensitivity to Ambient and Changing Light Condition

Based on the range, this market has been studied for short range, medium range and long range 3D scanners.

The short range 3D scanners are mostly used in various applications as these devices are less sensitive to ambient light and changing light condition, and offer high resolution. These scanners have the ability to scan tough surfaces, such as dark and shiny surface finishes and are available at low cost. The short range 3D scanners are considered to be safe for humans and animals.

Furthermore, medium range 3D scanners are gaining momentum owing to theirs growing adoption in mid-range measurement applications.  These range of scanners are mainly used for scanning geological scarps or profiles, architectural scanning, and monitoring infrastructures like bridges.

Similarly, long range 3D scanners are well suited for large an huge objects like buildings, military  and aircraft vehicles.

By Application Analysis

Reverse Engineering to Gain Traction During forecast Period owing to Need of Accurate and Precise Result

The 3D scanning has application in reverse engineering, quality control and inspection, rapid prototyping, full body scanning, and gaming among others.

3D scanners are mostly used for quality control and inspection process in manufacturing. 3D scanning is helping companies by giving accurate and reliable output. Likewise, ease of use, the non-contact nature, and flexibility of scanning is making it ideal for measuring wide range of objects.

Furthermore, the use of scanning for reverse engineering is gaining traction due to the ease of use and accurate and precise result. 3D scanners can measure complex objects very quickly, thereby speeding up the design workflow. For instance, Space Spider, a hand-held 3D scanner, is specially designed for CAD users and are perfect for product design, reverse engineering, and quality control.

Besides, the 3D scanners are also used in rapid prototyping for acquiring the dimensions of model to create a prototype. Similarly, many game developers are making use of scanning to create highly-detailed content for their games. It is also used for aesthetic body analysis and custom fitting clothing.

By End-Use Analysis

Industrial Manufacturing Segment to Exhibit Highest Growth owing to its Use in Various Stages of Product Design Development and Implementation

By end-user, the market has been segmented into aerospace and defense, healthcare, automotive, architecture and construction, industrial manufacturing, entertainment and media, and others.

Among these, the industrial manufacturing segment accounts for the maximum share owing to its use in various stages of product design development and implementation. 3D scanning is considered as a powerful tool as it helps in getting required data in minimum time, thereby speeding up the industrial workflow. Additionally, it assists in quickly catching the errors in existing products for future prototypes.

Furthermore, the healthcare sector is expected to show the highest CAGR in coming years as three-dimentional scanning allows medical professionals to study body parts in detail, prior to a surgical procedure. With 3D scanning, various 3D printed medical devices, prosthetics and medical models can be created.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Geographically, the global 3D scanning market is studied across five major regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. They are further categorized into countries.

Among all regions, North America followed by Europe dominance the global market owing to increasing application of scanning in various industries, including, healthcare, automotive, entertainment, manufacturing  among others. Growing focus of companies towards 3D printing, and  3D machine vision are also some of the factors driving the growth of North America market.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the 3D Scanning market during the forecast period, owing to manufacturing disruption, rising research and development initiatives, and surge in regulatory support by government bodies. Likewise, growing demand for smarter, and more efficient production will propel the Asia Pacific 3D scanner market in years ahead. The companies in this region are continuously focusing on investing and incorporating new technologies in their business processes to enhance the productivity.

Likewise, Middle East and Africa as well as Latin American countries are expected to show significant growth in coming years. The companies and government in countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Argentina are divesting away from oil and gas, and are focusing on investing in a variety of other sectors, including technology.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies like Artec Europe, CREAFORM, and THOR3D are Adopting Organic and Inorganic Strategies to Strengthen their Market Position

THOR3D has been developing unique scanning solutions since 2015. The company offers various wireless handled scanners that are lightweight, simple to use and provide accurate, reliable and fast results. The company is engaging into various partnerships nad collaboration activities to strengthen its market position. For instance, in January 2020, Thor3D signed an agreement with Quicksurface to distribute latter’s software along with former’s Calibry 3D scanner.

The key players in the market are continuously innovating their product to sustain in the 3D Scanning market. These players are experimenting ways to deliver unique product to the end-user. They are following various strategies such as partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and product launches to gain a strong foothold in the marketplace. The players are investing in research and development to launch advanced and cost-effective devices for various industrial applications.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• THOR3D


• CREAFORM


• Artec 3D


• CyberOptics Corporation


• NeoMetrix Technologies, Inc.


• Exact Metrology


• Faro Technologies, Inc.


• GOM GmbH


• 3D Systems, Inc.


• Autodesk, Inc.


• Quality Vision International


• Maptek Pty Ltd.


• Topcon Corporation


• Hexagon AB


• Trimble, Inc.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 2020 – Artec 3D, introduced professional 3D scanners and Geomagic 3D education software suite for schools, universities & research institutes. These  3D scanners along with software serves a wide array of courses, including engineering, manufacturing, art and computer graphics, architecture, history and heritage preservation, medicine, science, among others.


• November 2019 – Creaform launched HandySCAN AEROPACK, a 3D scanning solution suite to tackle the specific challenges of aircraft quality control, such as aircraft incidents, assessing damage from hailstorms and flap and spoiler inspections.

REPORT COVERAGE

The 3D Scanning market report offers qualitative and quantitative insights on 3D scanning and the detailed analysis of market size & growth rate for all possible segments in the market.

Along with this, the report provides an elaborative analysis of market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitive landscape. Key insights offered in the report are the adoption of 3D scanning by individual segments, recent industry developments such as partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, consolidated SWOT analysis of key players, Porter’s five forces analysis, business strategies of leading market players, macro and micro-economic indicators, and key industry trends.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION