3D printing technology is revolutionizing the way products are manufactured. This technology has the potential to change the way we make everything from medical implants to aircraft parts. 3D printing stocks have been on the rise in recent years, as investors bet on the sector’s long-term potential.
The stocks of companies that provide 3D printing software, services, and use 3D printing technology in their manufacturing processes are called 3D printing stocks. Similar to robotics, 3D printing is one of the most disruptive technologies in recent times and is set to revolutionize the manufacturing industry.
3D printing technology and 3D printing stocks had a slow start, with not much market to cater to. However, the new technology is coming into its element and demonstrating accelerated growth. The 3D printing market is expected to double to about $15.8 billion by 2020 and reach $35.6 billion by 2024.
Best 3D Printing Stocks
Ticker | Company Name | Last Price | 1-Year Return | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRLB | Proto Labs | $40.51 | 28.07% | 962.9M |
| DDD | 3D Systems | $2.37 | -36.46% | 321.2M |
| SSYS | Stratasys | $11.00 | 15.30% | 789.6M |
| MTLS | Materialise | $5.37 | 3.27% | 316.9M |
| XONE | ExOne | $49.53 | 0.20% | #N/A |
| VJET | Voxeljet | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| ONVO | Organovo Inc. | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| SGLB | Sigma Labs | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| GPHBF | Graphene 3D Lab Inc. | $0.10 | 66.67% | 924.1K |
| HPQ | Hewlett-Packard | $26.46 | -11.62% | 24.9B |
| NNDM | Nano Dimension | $1.63 | -36.08% | 360.8M |
| ARCW | Arc Wireless Solutions, Inc. | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| CFMS | ConforMIS | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| ALGN | Align Technology | $181.88 | -33.31% | 13.3B |
| ADSK | Autodesk, Inc. | $287.48 | 32.69% | 61.5B |
| DASTY | Dassault Systemes | $37.82 | -7.55% | 45.6B |
| SIEGY | Siemens | $120.55 | 19.14% | 178.8B |
- Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK): Autodesk is a leading provider of 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. Autodesk’s software serves a wide range of industries, and among them, it’s often used in 3D printing for creating digital models that can be turned into physical objects.
- Align Technology (ALGN): Known for its Invisalign dental products, Align Technology uses 3D printing technology to manufacture its clear aligners. The company’s use of 3D printing has revolutionized orthodontic treatment, allowing for personalized care on a large scale.
- Arc Wireless Solutions, Inc. (ARCW): While primarily a wireless solutions provider, ARCW has ventured into 3D printing through its subsidiaries, providing services related to additive manufacturing and materials engineering.
- ConforMIS (CFMS): ConforMIS uses 3D printing technology in the healthcare industry to manufacture personalized joint replacement implants. The company’s products are designed for each patient’s unique anatomy, resulting in a better fit and potentially improved outcomes.
- Dassault Systemes (DASTY): This French software company develops 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up, and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions. Their software is used in various industries, including 3D printing, for product design and development.
- 3D Systems (DDD): 3D Systems is one of the pioneers in the 3D printing industry, providing comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on-demand manufacturing services, and digital design tools.
- Graphene 3D Lab Inc. (GPHBF): The company works on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary composites and coatings based on graphene and other advanced materials, including a graphene-enabled 3D printing filament.
- Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): Known for its PCs and printers, HP has made significant strides into industrial 3D printing with its Multi Jet Fusion technology.
- Materialise (MTLS): Materialise provides comprehensive 3D printing services. The company serves a wide range of industries, including healthcare, automotive, and consumer products, and offers software solutions, 3D printing services, and medical 3D printing solutions.
- Nano Dimension (NNDM): Nano Dimension specializes in the development of advanced 3D printed electronics systems and advanced additive manufacturing. Their products include highly specialized 3D printers for electronics.
- Organovo Inc. (ONVO): Organovo is a biotech company that uses 3D printing technology to create functional human tissues that can be used in medical research and therapeutic applications.
- Proto Labs (PRLB): Proto Labs is an online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer. They provide rapid manufacturing of custom prototypes and low-volume production parts through services including 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding.
- Sigma Labs (SGLB): Sigma Labs specializes in the development and commercialization of manufacturing and materials technologies, including a quality assurance software under the PrintRite3D brand for metal-based additive manufacturing or 3D printing.
- Siemens (SIEGY): Siemens has a division that provides software for product design and production that includes additive manufacturing solutions. They also use 3D printing in their operations for prototypes, tooling, and end-use parts in various materials.
- Stratasys (SSYS): Stratasys is a pioneer in 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions. They manufacture 3D printers and materials that cater to industries like healthcare, aerospace, education, and consumer products.
- Voxeljet (VJET): Voxeljet is a leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services to industrial and commercial customers. The company caters to industries such as automotive, architecture, aerospace, film and entertainment, art, and more.
- ExOne (XONE): ExOne provides 3D printing machines, 3D printed products, and related services to industrial customers, primarily focusing on manufacturing in the foundry, aerospace, automotive, energy, and other sectors.
State of the 3D Printing Industry
3D printing is a process that builds physical objects of virtually any shape from 3-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data.
3D printers are capable of producing high-quality and functional objects, like prosthetics or architecture models, in just hours, as opposed to days or months.
3D printing has been used for rapid prototyping since the 1980s but today it can also be used to create final products.
There are two basic types of 3D printers: those that use an extruder head and heated nozzle to lay down successive layers of molten material (thermoplastics), one on top of the other; these “extrusion” type machines build up words by depositing small lines called “tracks”, and those that use an inkjet-like print head to deposit drops of new material (typically a photopolymer or liquid resin) onto the surface of a supporting layer; these “additive” type machines work by lifting away the supporting material below each printed layer.
3D printing is typically much faster than traditional methods of manufacturing and is becoming increasingly cost-competitive.
3D Printing has changed everything.
With 3d printing, just days or months can make a difference between prototyping and production. Rapid prototyping is more efficient than ever. Many companies are finding new ways to use 3D printing.
Most big companies are now using 3d printers. 3D printers can make anything from a house to a toy. You can make all sorts of things with them.
What’s more, 3D printing is getting smaller and cheaper all the time. Best of all, you can do it at home!
Factors to Consider Before Investing in 3D Printing Stocks
Investors must undertake extensive research into the business model, technology, and their prospects before investing in 3D printing stocks. Suitable 3D printing stocks must have cutting-edge technology and a high level of constant innovation.
Additionally, investors must look into the financial strength of the 3D printing companies before investing in them. Financial analysis should include reviewing earnings and revenue growth, including revenue by-products, materials, and services, returns, profitability, volumes, and valuation.
3D printing stocks have proved to be quite volatile in the past few years, with significant crests and troughs since 3D printing was discovered in 2013; however, the long-term prospects look very attractive.
Which 3D Printing Stocks Should I Buy?
Many 3D printing stocks trade on the US stock exchanges. They include pure-play 3D printing companies and manufacturers of 3D software, 3D printers, and 3D printing material. We have shortlisted the best 3D printing stocks to make the selection easier for you.
Since the 3D printing industry is still in its infancy, the future may look unpredictable. Therefore, investing in 3D printing stocks may not be a good idea for investing for short-term gains. However, the long-term future of 3D printing stocks looks promising and will be able to generate excellent returns for investors.
