Simulation and 3D printing ‘impacting rubber and tire markets’

Hyderabad, India – Computer simulation and 3D printing technology is having a growing impact on the market for manufactured rubber goods, according to The Business Research Co. (TBRC).

The trend was highlighted in a TBRC report, which estimated that the rubber products including tires will be worth $507.5 billion in 2020 – up from around $410 billion currently.

Within the market, manufacturers are increasingly adopting 3D technology to design and develop rubber or rubber products, according to the study.

“Software-aided system offers 3D presentations on production line processes, including potential fault lines and also provides control on the manufacturing process,” the Hyderabad-based firm noted.

As an example, TBR cited how Stratasys is developing 3D printing technologies to produce automotive tires that can be customised to different levels of hardness, and elongation.

In March 2016, Goodyear introduced the Eagle-360 that will be a 3D printed spherical tire that promises to provide a 360-degree motion.

“Rubber manufacturers should invest in 3D technologies to provide innovative models and designs to customers,” said the report.