The 3D metrology market is estimated to be valued at USD 13.56 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 21.85 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.05% from 2024 to 2031. The 3D Metrology market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. This is due to the increased adoption of automated quality control verification methods in manufacturing facilities.

Market Driver - Increasing Adoption of 3D Modeling Across Industries

The use of 3D modeling techniques has seen widespread growth across major industries like aerospace, automotive and electronics in recent years. Automakers are extensively using 3D CAD/CAM software to design vehicles with advanced functionalities in a virtual environment before production. Similarly, aerospace manufacturers are extensively adopting 3D modeling as aircraft systems have become more complex with integrated avionics, sensors and thousands of parts. Likewise, electronics manufacturers are relying on 3D CAD software to design circuit boards and components with greater precision.

Many large automotive outfits have set up dedicated digital engineering centers focused on 3D modeling of vehicles from scratch. Aerospace manufacturers are allocating greater budgets towards advanced CAE solutions to integrate design, analysis, simulation and manufacturing using a common 3D database. Even electronics companies are establishing virtual product development labs with sophisticated modeling workstations to accelerate time-to-market for new-age consumer devices.

Overall 3D modeling is increasingly becoming the default approach for conceiving and realizing innovative product designs across a wide spectrum of industries, driving the 3D metrology market.

Market Driver - Rising Demand for High-Precision Measurement Solutions

With the growing complexity of manufactured components, the requirements from quality control and inspection processes are also becoming stricter. Products across industries need to meet very tight tolerances, have fine surface finishes and demand high levels of dimensional accuracy during production. Ensuring quality and reliability of such precision-engineered goods calls for sophisticated metrology systems adept at high-resolution inspection.

In order to keep pace with such exacting quality standards, manufacturers are increasingly automating metrology operations and augmenting manual inspection techniques with digitized 3D measurement solutions. Coordinate measuring machines equipped with non-contact probes offering resolution in single-digit microns are being deployed on production floors for inline inspection.

Demand for advanced metrology solutions delivering high measurement accuracy, repeatability, and throughput is witnessing steady gains. This presents broad-based opportunities for 3D scanning and metrology companies to develop specialized solutions catering to emerging needs across verticals.

Market Challenge - High Setup Costs for 3D Metrology Facilities

One of the key challenges faced by the 3D metrology market is the high setup costs associated with establishing 3D metrology facilities. Setting up advanced 3D metrology equipment requires significant capital investments. In addition to the equipment costs, 3D metrology facilities also require suitable infrastructure.

Major requirements include temperature-controlled laboratories, stable power supply, qualified technical staff for operating and maintaining the systems, as well as periodic system calibration. All these factors contribute to high fixed setup costs. This poses a significant barrier for small and mid-sized manufacturing companies to invest in their own in-house 3D metrology capabilities.

The high costs encourage these companies to rely more on third-party metrology service providers for their inspection and reverse engineering needs. However, this option may not always be cost-effective compared to owning the systems. The high initial investments are thus a major challenge restraining the growth of the 3D metrology market, especially among small enterprises.

Market Opportunity - Growing Need for Portable Metrology Solutions and On-site Services

One major opportunity for the 3D metrology market is the growing need for portable metrology solutions as well as on-site metrology services among manufacturers. There is an increasing demand from manufacturers to perform dimensional inspections directly on the shop floor near the point of production to minimize work-in-process handling. This has fueled the demand for portable, handheld 3D metrology systems that can be easily moved around the factory floor.

Industries are also increasingly adopting metrology services provided on-site by third-party 3D metrology companies to overcome the challenges of high capital investment and dedicated lab space. The need for portable and on-site metrology is anticipated to grow further with the advancement of Industry 4.0 trends such as smart factory and connected products. This presents a major opportunity for 3D metrology market players to expand their offerings of portable CMMs, scanners, microscopes as well as value-added on-site metrology services.

Focus on innovation through R&D: Companies like Hexagon, Faro, Nikon have consistently invested 10-15% of their annual revenues in R&D to develop new and innovative 3D metrology products.

Acquisitions for technology and market expansion: Major players acquire startup companies to gain access to niche technologies and expand into new markets.

Focus on building partnerships and collaborations: Companies partner with technology leaders and customers to integrate their 3D metrology solutions with other industrial machinery. For example, Nikon has partnership with major CMM, EDM and injection molding machine manufacturers to tightly integrate its metrology solutions. Such partnerships help gain recurring customers and revenue streams.

Invest in sales and service network: Key players invest heavily in direct sales force and application specialists along with extensive service network globally. As per annual reports, Hexagon spends 25-30% of annual revenues on sales, marketing and customer service. This helps strengthen customer relationships and acquire new customers globally.

Insights, By Product Type: Precision and Accuracy Drives Coordinate Measuring Machine Segment

In terms of product type, coordinate measuring machine contributes 45.3% share of the 3D metrology market in 2024, owning to its precision and accuracy in measurement. Coordinate measuring machines (CMM) use probes attached to an articulated arm to collect highly accurate 3D coordinates of points on an object's surface.

Factors such as increasing demand for more precise inspection and quality control from industries such as automotive and aerospace have boosted adoption of CMM across manufacturing facilities. In addition, advancements in CMM probe technologies have further improved measurement speeds, accuracy and precision. This has increased CMM suitability for complex part geometries and smaller feature sizes.

Furthermore, integration of metrology software suites with CMM hardware provide advanced statistical process control capabilities that help manufacturers improve manufacturing yields and product quality consistency.

Insights, By Component: Rapid Adoption Across Industries Drives Hardware Segment

In terms of component, hardware contributes 60.4% share of the 3D metrology market in 2024owing to its rapid adoption across industries. The hardware component of 3D metrology systems primarily includes CMM probes, articulated arms, laser scanners and other digitizing devices used for 3D coordinate data collection. Growing quality control requirements across automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery and medical device manufacturing industries have fueled hardware installations.

Furthermore, hardware upgrades allow companies to digitize legacy production lines and achieve greater throughput. This helps maximize returns especially for high value assets. Regular hardware refreshes also provide access to new functionality through technology advances. Overall, hardware is the backbone for enabling advanced inspection workflows.

Insights, By Application: Quality Assurance Drives Quality Control & Inspection Application

In terms of application, quality control & inspection contributes the highest share of the 3D metrology market owing to the indispensable role it plays in quality assurance. Across all manufacturing industries, applying metrology for in-process and final part inspection has become synonymous with achieving product quality and reliability expectations of customers.

Furthermore, quantitative metrology data assists with determining root causes for quality problems through detailed analyses. It also helps optimize production processes by identifying variability sources. The growing need for statistical process control and tightening of ISO quality management standards have further increased use of metrology applications for inspection tasks.

Overall, quality control applications will continue seeing strong demand as manufacturers prioritize quality assurance to minimize warranty costs and increase customer satisfaction levels.

• Adoption in Aerospace: The aerospace industry increasingly utilizes 3D metrology for precision component manufacturing and assembly verification, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Automotive Industry Integration: Major automotive manufacturers implement 3D metrology systems for quality assurance in production lines, reducing defects and enhancing efficiency.
• Regional Insights: North America led the global 3D metrology market with a 38.14% share in 2023, attributed to the presence of major automotive and aerospace companies.
• Product Segment Dominance: The coordinate measuring machine segment held the largest share in the 3D metrology market in 2023, reflecting its widespread application in various industries.

The major players operating in the 3D metrology market include Hexagon AB, FARO Technologies, Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Nikon Metrology NV, Mitutoyo South Asia Pvt. Ltd., Renishaw plc, Keyence Corporation, GOM & COMPANY, Shining 3D, Intertek Group plc, and Perceptron, Inc.

• In June 2024, Hexagon AB introduced the AltaScan Max and MarvelScan, a new range of handheld scanners designed to enhance on-site measurement capabilities. These scanners are bundled with software that handles data acquisition and basic reporting, with the option to export scan data for use in PC-DMIS, Hexagon's metrology software.
• In May 2024, Carl Zeiss AG announced the establishment of a new strategic business unit, ZEISS Photonics & Optics, effective October 1, 2024. This unit consolidates various specialized businesses within the ZEISS Group, including Microoptics, Spectroscopy, Planetariums, and Simulation Projection Solutions, as well as Cinematography, Mobile Imaging, Photo, and optics for hunting and nature observation.
• In March 2024, FARO Technologies, Inc. expanded its software suite to include AI-driven analytics, enhancing capabilities in predictive maintenance and real-time quality control. This advancement aims to provide users with deeper insights into their operations, enabling proactive maintenance strategies and improved product quality.

• By Product Type
  • Coordinate Measuring Machine
  • Optical Digitizer and Scanner
  • Video Measuring Machine
  • 3D Automated Optical Inspection System
  • Others
• By Component
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Services
• By Application
  • Quality Control & Inspection
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Virtual Simulation
  • Others
• By End-user Industry
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Energy & Power
  • Electronics
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Medical
  • Others