Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS): Worldwide shipments of 3D printers will reach 496,475 units in 2016, up 103 percent from the predicted 244,533 units in 2015, according to a new report by market research firm Gartner.

The research firm believes that 3D printer shipments are forecast to more than double every year between 2016 and 2019, by which time worldwide shipments are expected to reach more than 5.6 million.

"Rapid quality and performance innovations across all 3D printer technologies are driving both enterprise and consumer demand, with unit shipment growth rates for 3D printers increasing significantly," said Gartner's vice president, research, Pete Basiliere.

"The 3D printer market is continuing its transformation from a niche market to broad-based, global market of enterprises and consumers," he added.

Out of seven technologies that constitute the 3D printer market, material extrusion technology is expected to lead 2015 shipments at 232,336 units, increasing to 5,527,493 units in 2019 largely due to the sales of low cost, entry-level material extrusion printers, Gartner said.