A new survey conducted by Ricoh Ireland has found that two-thirds (66%) of healthcare professionals believe 3D printing has the capacity to fundamentally transform the health sector. Without investment in these technologies, 41% believe they will struggle to meet the needs of patients in the next five years. 79% of healthcare professionals also revealed that they are using new printing technologies to improve accurate diagnostic rates and lower mortality rates.
In the retail sector, 60% said that they are currently investing in 3D printing technologies and 58% are investing in on-demand printing. Retailers claim that they are turning to more innovative ways of printing to drive competitive advantage, highlighting advantages such as reduced delivery times (83%), more delivery options (74%) and the ability to personalise products (72%). The research also found that 39% of businesses across all sectors have adopted new printing technologies to enable AI and automation.
Commenting on the findings, Gary Hopwood, Managing Director at Ricoh Ireland said: “The refrain ‘print is dead’ is utterly misguided. New printing technologies are helping businesses to transform their operations. In healthcare, pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing 3D printed prosthetic limbs tailored to specific patients. In retail, vendors are manufacturing shoes and printing unique designs on demand, reducing stock wastage. In education, students can buy personalised textbooks, reducing costs and improving learning.”
