In recent years, 3D printing has attracted increasing attention. The prospect of machines that can print objects much the same way that an inkjet printer creates images on paper has inspired enthusiasts to proclaim that 3D printing will bring the next industrial revolution (known as Industry 4.0).
Gartner started with his first Hype Cycle report about Emerging technologies, and today they publishing more than 120 Hype Cycles.
The cycle of hype and disappointment is so common that Gartner has given it a name – the Hype Cycle, because all the initial enthusiasm is built mainly on hope and hype. (Jackie Fenn, Mark Raskino, 2008) Figure 1 represents Gartner generic Hype Cycle. In 2014, position for consumer 3D Printers were at the top of the Peak of Inflated Expectations. This means that rumors that this technology will be new big wave were at the top of the inflated expectations. In next two years, things went to the right place – with more installed 3D Printing base, users understood all advantages and disadvantages of the technology. With this new reality into the mind, new users start to buy more quantities, using 3D printers for manufacturing variety of groups of products.
Gartner’s generic Hype Cycle (Source: Wilson, 2014)