The 3-D printing marketplace is dominated by plastic. According to Morgan Stanley, the material recently accounted for nearly 94% of all 3-D printing. This is exactly where 3D Systems (DDD 2.36%) and Stratasys (SSYS 1.43%) make all of their profits. So if you're an investor in these companies or an avid follower of 3-D printing, you don't want to miss Arburg's first 3-D printer -- the Freeformer.
The Freeformer. Photo: Arburg
TCT Magazine, a leading 3-D printing publication, recently covered the unveiling in detail here.
This all-new printer looks as if it could be a very worthy adversary to 3-D Systems and Stratasys because of two big details -- low material cost, and no support structures. 3-D Systems just recently reported 70% profit margins on materials, and Stratsys also derives a large amount of profits from sales of expensive printing materials. This new printer could be the start of the much-anticipated decline the cost of 3-D printing materials, and investors should pay close attention.
In the following video, Fool analyst Blake Bos explains the new printer, and why investors in 3-D printing should take note of this worthy newcomer.
