Polymer 3D printing: global research trends
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 30 April 2024
Issue publication date: 17 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify research trends and technological evolution in the polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing process that can effectively identify the direction of technological advancement and progress of acceptance in both society and key manufacturing industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The Scopus database was used to collect data on polymer 3D printing papers. This study uses bibliometric approach along with network analytic techniques to identify and discuss the most important countries and their scientific collaboration, compares income groups and analyses keyword trends.
Findings
It was found that top research production results from heavy investments in research and development. The USA has the highest number of papers among the high-income countries. However, scientific production in the other two income groups is strongly dominated by China and India. Keyword analysis shows that countries with lower incomes in certain areas, such as composite and bioprinting, have fallen behind other groups over time. International collaborations were suggested as mechanisms for those countries to catch up with the current research trends. The evolution of the research field, which started with a focus on 3D printing processes and shifted to printed part designs and their applications, was discussed. The advancement of the research topic suggests that translational research on polymer 3D printing has been led mainly by research production from higher-income countries and countries with large research and development investments.
Originality/value
Previous studies have conducted performance analysis, science mapping and network analysis in the field of 3D printing, but none have focused on global research trends classified by country income. This study has conducted a bibliometric analysis and compared the outputs according to various income levels according to the World Bank classification.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by Erasmus+ program, under agreement number 19–107-060197. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.
Citation
Breznik, K., Paoprasert, N., Novak, K. and Srisawadi, S. (2024), "Polymer 3D printing: global research trends", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 825-839. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-07-2023-0248
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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