Core Viewpoint - The consumer-grade 3D printing market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by "price reduction + AI empowerment" [1][2] Market Size - The global consumer-grade 3D printing market size is projected to grow from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $4.1 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 28% [1] - From 2025 to 2029, the market size is expected to increase from $4.9 billion to $16.9 billion, with a CAGR of about 33% [1] - The annual shipment of consumer-grade printers is expected to remain around 3 million units from 2020 to 2023, surpassing 4 million units in 2024, with a CAGR of approximately 10.2% [1] - By 2029, shipments are projected to reach 13.4 million units, with a CAGR of about 26.6% from 2024 to 2029 [1] Competitive Landscape - Four Shenzhen companies, including Creality and Tiertime, hold a combined 90% market share in the entry-level 3D printer segment [2] - The entry-level 3D printer market (priced ≤ $2,500) is the only segment expected to see growth in 2024, with a shipment increase of 26% [2] Catalysts - The price of consumer-grade 3D printers has decreased by 60% compared to three years ago, with mainstream brands focusing on products priced between $200 to $300 [2] - Some entry-level products are priced below $1000, making them comparable to mid-range smartphones, facilitating the rapid adoption of consumer-grade 3D printers [2] - AI tools, exemplified by Hitem3D, have significantly lowered the creative barrier, providing software conditions for the popularization of consumer-grade 3D printing [2] Material Demand - PLA is the most common material in 3D printing, made from corn starch or sugarcane, known for its eco-friendliness and non-toxicity [3] - The domestic demand for PLA is expected to reach 120,000 tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 48.1%, with 3D printing accounting for approximately 35% of this demand [3] - PLA's cost-effectiveness and high frequency of repurchase make it well-positioned to benefit from the growth in consumer-grade 3D printing demand [3]

Group 1: Market Growth - The global consumer-grade 3D printing market is expected to grow from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $4.1 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of approximately 28% [1] - From 2025 to 2029, the market size is projected to increase from $4.9 billion to $16.9 billion, with a CAGR of about 33% [1] - The annual shipment of consumer-grade printers is expected to exceed 4 million units in 2024, with a CAGR of approximately 10.2%, reaching 13.4 million units by 2029, with a CAGR of about 26.6% [1] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Four Shenzhen companies, including Creality and Tobo, hold 90% of the global entry-level 3D printer market share [2] - Entry-level 3D printers (priced ≤ $2,500) are the only segment expected to see growth in 2024, with a shipment increase of 26% [2] Group 3: Catalysts for Growth - The price of consumer-grade 3D printers has decreased by 60% compared to three years ago, with many entry-level products priced below $1,000 [2] - AI tools, such as those from Hitem3D, have significantly lowered the creative barriers, facilitating the adoption of consumer-grade 3D printing [2] Group 4: Material Demand - PLA is the most common material in 3D printing, with a projected domestic demand of 120,000 tons in 2024, representing a 48.1% year-on-year increase [3] - 3D printing is expected to account for approximately 35% of PLA's application in 2024, making it the largest application area [3] - PLA's characteristics, such as environmental friendliness and ease of use, position it well for growth in consumer-grade 3D printing [3]

Group 1: Desktop 3D Printing Market - The global desktop 3D printing market is projected to grow from $5.9 billion in 2024 to $20.9 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 23% [14][11]. - In 2023, China's desktop 3D printing market size was $300 million, accounting for approximately 6% of the global market, with key applications in dental/healthcare (24%), jewelry (21%), and food (19%) [14][12]. - The desktop 3D printing technology is categorized into FDM and SLA, with FDM being more cost-effective but less precise compared to SLA [14][13]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Bambu Lab is a leading player in the desktop 3D printing market, achieving revenues of 2.7 billion yuan in 2023, with a projected revenue of 5.5 billion yuan in 2024 [28]. - Creality, established in 2014, has sold over 5.5 million 3D printers globally, maintaining a market share of approximately 39% in the entry-level segment [29]. - Voxelab, founded in 2015, has launched over 20 products and achieved annual revenues exceeding 1 billion yuan, focusing on cost-effective solutions [35]. Group 3: Laser Engraving Market - The global laser engraving market is expected to reach $4.4457 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2030 [47]. - The desktop laser engraving machine market is growing rapidly, with a 23% increase in sales from 2022 to 2023, reaching 370,000 units sold [47][48]. - Major players in the laser engraving market include xTool, Ortur, and Atomstack, with xTool holding a significant market share [50][54]. Group 4: Key Companies and Financials - Bambu Lab's community forum has over 100,000 members, enhancing user engagement and product adoption [28]. - xTool's revenue exceeded 1 billion yuan in 2023, with projections of 2 to 3 billion yuan in 2024, aiming for over 5 billion yuan by 2025 [54]. - The laser control system supplier, Jin Chengzi, is expected to generate revenue of 212 million yuan in 2024, with a net profit margin of 13.9% [65].

Summary of 3D Printing Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The consumer-grade 3D printing market has seen significant hardware upgrades, with printing speeds increased to 500-600 mm/s and prices dropping below $1,500, lowering the barrier for consumers and promoting market expansion [1][3] - The global consumer-grade 3D printing market is valued between $4 billion and $5 billion, with China holding a significant export share. In Q1 2024, China's export growth rate exceeded 47%, and the market has maintained an annual growth rate of over 30% since 2019 [1][3] - China dominates the global consumer-grade 3D printing market, exporting 90% of desktop products, with North America and Europe being the primary demand markets, accounting for 30%-40% and 20% of global demand, respectively [1][4] Key Market Drivers - The strong performance of the consumer-grade 3D printing market is attributed to technological maturity, price reductions, and supply chain optimization. Hardware advancements, such as those by Tuozhu Company, have significantly improved printing speed and quality [3] - The main consumer demographics include hobbyists, educational institutions, creative designers, and home users, with demand concentrated in education, DIY, and collectible toy sectors. In the domestic market, ToB (business-to-business) demand is predominant [1][6][8] Challenges and Opportunities - Technical limitations and pricing are barriers to market penetration. Further improvements in printing speed and success rates are needed, along with price reductions to around $500 to attract more household consumers [1][8] - The introduction of brushless motors, sensors, and high-performance chips by Tuozhu has created technological barriers and improved printing capabilities [1][11] Cost Structure and Profitability - Core components of 3D printers (motherboard, sensors, chips) account for about one-third of total costs, with motors and controls making up 10%-20%, and print heads and heated beds around 20% [2][17] - The profit margin for complete machines is generally over 20%, while consumables have a higher profit margin, also exceeding 20% [21] Future Market Trends - The industry is currently characterized by a "one strong, many strong" dynamic, with Tuozhu being a dominant player. As upstream prices decrease, new entrants like Anker and others are beginning to enter the market [22] - The potential for the consumer-grade market to reach a trillion-dollar scale in five years exists, but significant challenges remain, including consumer demand and the need for compatible products [24][25] Technological Developments - The core technology in 3D printing involves a combination of hardware and software, with FDM and photopolymerization being the primary methods. Future improvements are needed in material safety and efficiency [10] - The development of eco-friendly and durable materials is crucial for market expansion, as current materials often pose environmental challenges [9][10] Supply Chain and Competition - The supply chain for 3D printers is not fully mature, with challenges in producing high-volume printers and reliance on imported components for critical parts [11][28] - The competitive landscape emphasizes the importance of hardware stability, print area, and precision, with companies needing to build ecosystems to create barriers to entry [29][30] Conclusion - The consumer-grade 3D printing market is poised for growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing accessibility. However, overcoming existing challenges related to pricing, material safety, and supply chain maturity will be essential for sustained expansion and market penetration [1][24][25]