3D Optical Profiler Market

The 3D optical profiler market was valued at US$87.96 billion in 2021 and is poised to witness a good pace of growth in the upcoming years. The market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.98% over the forecast period, eventually reaching a value of 148.37 billion US dollars by 2030.

Market Overview

The 3D optical profiler market will expand rapidly in the coming years. Optical profilers are advanced interference microscopes used for measuring height variations and surface roughness. They enable users to attain precise, ISO-compliant, quantitative, and non-contact surface measurements and micro and nano-scale surface characteristics. From waviness to topography and roughness of the surface, they can provide accurate measurements of up to 2 million data points in a few seconds.

Multiple optical profiler systems with various features and functionality are available in the market. The large variety of options helps the end users choose the best system according to their application requirements, like precision, speed, flexibility, automation, and vertical range. Hence, extensive product use across industries is expected to surge market growth.

Key Report Findings

• The 3D optical profiler market is poised to grow during the assessment period, reaching a value of 148.37 billion US dollars by 2030.
• The industry is expected to boom because of multiple factors, including the growing use of 3D optical profilers across industries like life science, electronics, and automotive.
• The increase in urbanization and industrialization activities in India and China presents lucrative growth prospects for companies operating in the 3D optical profiler market.
• Asia Pacific is expected to lead the industry during the forecasted period. In 2020, Asia Pacific had the largest market share among all regions and is estimated to grow steadily until 2030.

Market Drivers

High Demand

A major 3D optical profiler market driver is the growing demand for WLI (white light interferometry) microscopes. WLI provides a full and clear 3D surface profile that meets the new measurement standards set by the international metrology community. Furthermore, optical profilers are designed for performance and deliver results with precision. The accuracy level and benefits offered by 3D optical profilers have made it a top choice among end-users across industries, including aerospace, MEMS research, data storage, and automotive. With this technology, end-users can overcome conventional measuring devices' product-related challenges and limitations.

Advanced Technology

Embedded with cutting-edge technology, the optical profiler market has truly redefined the market dynamics –taking it to a new level. It is a high-resolution three-dimensional optical device that uses coherence scanning interferometry to provide quick, error-free, and reliable surface measurements. With this interference microscope, users can measure layers of substrate and thickness, which is much needed for quality control during production and manufacturing processes.

Non-Contact Measurement Approach

Another striking feature of 3D optical profilers is that they enable users to perform non-contact measurements. Hence, it eliminates the risk of damaging the surface and has no surface structure orientation restriction.

Furthermore, unlike conventional measurement tools, the profilers are not Z-height limited, so you can easily measure objects and products up to ten millimeters in height. Put simply, even if you don't touch the object's surface, you take measurements accurately and fully use the superior technology of 3D optical profilers to your business advantage.

Market Opportunities

Increasing Testing Process Prevalence

The surge in the testing processes across industries will likely boost the 3D optical profiler market. The increase in the testing processes of biological samples in the medical industry and the assessment of the quality of different auto parts by automobile manufacturers has increased demand for 3D optical profilers.

Active Replacement of Conventional Tools and Methodologies

End-users are actively replacing conventional methods and tools with 3D optical scanning microscopes. Not only are 3D optical profilers more functional, but they are also accurate. They are deployed with laser displacement sensors that accumulate data via a laser line, providing accurate and 3D measurements, including height difference, width, and angle.

The immense popularity of these devices will result in substantial market growth in the future -yielding new opportunities for industry players to accelerate and capture more market share.

Shorten Time-to-Market

The recent automotive industry growth has increased vehicle production, especially in developing countries. Auto industry players must meet the ongoing demand and supply gap by shortening their time-to-market. To make this possible, they have to invest in technologies that prevent production delays which usually occur because of testing and inspection.

Hence, automobile manufacturers are heavily investing in profiling metrology solutions to speed up production. And this, in return, presents a lucrative opportunity for 3D optical profiler market players to grow and accelerate.

Market Challenges

Limited Visible Light Capacity

One of the biggest industry restraints is the limited capacity of 3D optical profilers. This can limit industry growth potential during the assessment period. The maximum magnification power of optical microscopes is approximately 1000x because of their limited capacity to resolve visible light.

Regional Coverage

The 3D optical profiler market demonstrates a global presence, with significant growth observed across various regions. The market's regional coverage includes:

North America

• US
• Mexico
• Canada

Europe

• France
• Germany
• Turkey
• Netherlands 
• Belgium
• Finland
• Switzerland
• Russia
• UK
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• India
• Japan
• China
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Philippines
• Australia 

LAMEA

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Saudi Arabia
• Rest of MEA

By region, Asia Pacific leads the market, followed by North America. The regional growth of the 3D optical profiler market is owed to the increase in the use of these systems across industries, especially the automotive industry. Similarly, the North American regional market is driven by the strong presence of key players like Bruker Corp and AEP Corp, and end-user industries like automotive and aerospace, electronics and semiconductor, life science, micromechanical industry, and others.

Company Recent Development

The companies recognized in the 3D optical profiler market globally are:

• Alicona Imaging GmbH
• AEP Technology
• Bruker Corporation
• Filmetrics Inc.
• Mahr GmbH
• Keyence Corp.
• KLA Corp.
• Danaher Corp
• Hirox Co. Ltd.
• Carl Zeiss AG
• Nanovea
• Sensofar Group
• Zygo Corporation

Some recent industry developments include the following:

Bruker Corporation, an industry-leading US-based player, launched light sheet microscopes in 2021. This product in the Optical profiler market has gained immense popularity quickly as it can be easily used for diagnosis purposes before treatment at Cancer hospitals. These microscopes assist researchers in visualizing cancerous cells and tissues easily, which is much needed to provide better cancer treatments to patients and increase their survival chances.

Similarly, ZYGO, another leading US-based company, launched a new system called the Nexview 650 that provides 2D and 3D measurements with lateral sub-micron precision and vertical sub-nanometer accuracy.