3D Optical Profiler Market

Market Overview

The global 3D optical profiler market is expected to grow with a CAGR of approximately 6.3% during the forecasted period 2021–2026 with an estimated revenue of USD 143 million.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

3D Optical Profiler: Increasing Adoption in Manufacturing and Development 

A modern interference microscope is an optical profiler used for error measurement and height variations such as surface roughness. It is a contact or non-contact surface metrology technique that is quick, non-destructive, and non-destructive. Metrology stands for the scientific study of measurement. Using the high-resolution camera, it can measure micro and nano-surfaces and capture up to two million data points in a matter of seconds. Automotive and precision machines, consumer electronics, aerospace and defense, optics and photonics, and micro-manufacturing, and nanotechnology are just some of the applications for a 3D optical profiler.

The growth in the market is due to the increased use of 3D optical surface profilers in the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as the inability of traditional measurement devices to address manufacturing-related issues. Automation manufacturing in industry verticals has increased trends such as the internet of things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, and end-users are constantly investing in inline metrology solutions and profiling to reduce inspection delays in the production process.

Increasing Demand in Various Industries Driving  Market Growth

The widespread product use in various end-use industries such as automotive, science, and electronics is propelling the global 3D optical profiler market towards growth. During the review period, the growing automotive industry with increased vehicle production, particularly in developing countries, is expected to drive market growth at a significant rate. Furthermore, the rising demand for advanced 3D optical profilers is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for global market players in the coming years.

Many different applications have emerged for development and inspection needs across a wide range of industries, such as the optical fiber industry versus the medical device industry. Real-time optical profiler measurements, for example, are required to investigate the moving structures in DLP projector scanner chips. Plumbing products (e.g., faucets), the nature of food packaging materials (e.g., potato chips), and even the texture of the components used to deliver deodorant are all using 3D optical profiling for product development and manufacturing inspection in the consumer goods industry.

Need for Advanced Technology in Development to Boost the Market Growth

Manufacturers are forced to develop advanced technology to overcome problems, such as long development cycles due to a growing demand for short development cycles of automotive models, high-cost pressure, and stringent government regulations on the vehicular population. Design and simulation can be sped up with 3D optical profiler systems, resulting in shorter development cycles. The 3D optical profiler has several advantages over other non-contact inspection devices for semiconductor packaging, industrial processes, research, and control. From fast measurement speeds and custom analysis to non-destructive inspection and fully automated measurements, the advantages of an optical profiler over traditional measuring devices are numerous.

Segmental Analysis

White Light Interference Expected to Have a Large Market Share

The market is divided into two segments based on technology: confocal technology and white light interference. In the 3D optical profiler market, white light interference is expected to have the largest market share. Multiple wavelength interference is another name for it. White light interferometry generates a three-dimensional point cloud of the entire field of view. Surface and form parameters and volumes can be calculated using software algorithms based on these data. Every surface point's optical distance is measured about a reference surface within the instruments.

The most common application of White light interference is to measure the depth of high aspect ratio trenches etched with a deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) tools. Trench profiles from DRIE are frequently beyond the capabilities of stylus profilometry, which is limited by the physical dimensions of the stylus and scanning technique to a maximum aspect ratio of 1 and a maximum step height of 150um. White light interference is used to determine the roughness of a sample's surface. Because the physical dimensions of the stylus (25 m tip radius) can limit measurement accuracy, the technique is preferred over stylus profilometry for surface roughness analysis.

Automotive Sector to Account for a Greater Market Share

The market is divided into aerospace, automotive, life sciences, electronics, and other verticals based on industry verticals. During the forecast period 2021–2026, the automotive sector is expected to have the largest market share. In the automotive industry, the profiles are used for inspecting small and complex mechanical parts, determining engine cleanliness, and steel alloy inclusion rates. 3D optical profilometry is being used in automotive plants worldwide to measure things, such as the grind pattern on engine valves, the texture inside engine cylinders, and the critical characteristics of fuel injectors.

Impact of covid-19

For a brief period, the Covid-19 outbreak hampered the growth of the 3D optical profiler market. The spread of coronavirus necessitated the imposition of a lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading further. Travel restrictions and supply chain disruptions resulted, affecting product availability. Production and manufacturing units had to be temporarily shut down due to the pandemic and lockdowns, resulting in a drop in demand for 3D Optical Profilers. The supply and demand of raw materials were delayed as imports and export were halted.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominating the Market Share due to the Presence of Major Production Sectors

North America is the largest consumer and producer of electronics and semiconductor, micromechanical, automotive, aerospace, and life science sectors. Various 3D optical profiler systems have been adopted in the U.S. during the early stages of the process and are used for applications such as quality control and inspection, and virtual simulation, in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and life science.

Due to consistent growth and technological developments in the automotive sector, Europe is known for its global 3D optical profiler market. It is due to the ability of the 3D optical profiler to inspect the small and complex engine and vehicle parts during the manufacturing process.

Due to rapid industrial expansion in various countries, such as China, Japan, and India, Asia-Pacific is one of the world's fastest-growing regions. The automotive, healthcare, and other mechanical sectors particularly are expected to have a high demand for the 3D profiler.

Recent Developments

June 2021- In June, Bruker Alicona opened a new demo center in Shanghai. With plenty of room to test their optical measuring systems for form and surface roughness measurement, they'll be able to put them to the test. On display is the optical coordinate measuring system µCMM is for tight tolerance measurements and the highly accurate, fast, and universal surface measuring system InfiniteFocus.

June 2021- The IM 8000 series from Keyence Corporation is a new Image Dimension Measurement System. It can measure up to 300-part features automatically in seconds. By simply placing a part on the stage and pressing one button, anyone can measure it. The unit provides accurate and repeatable measurements instantly, regardless of operator skill.

3D Optical Profiler Market Segmentation

By Technology

• Confocal Technology
• White Light Interference

 By Industry Verticals

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Life Sciences
• Electronics
• Other

By Regions

• North America (US, Canada)
• Europe (Germany, France, The U.K., Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, The Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, The Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, The Rest of Latin America)
• The Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, The Rest of Middle East and Africa)