The 5 Most Influential Companies Involved in 3D Printing

As investors start their look-back at 2014, it's clear that one of the year's biggest business stories has been the rise of 3D printing technology and its related companies.

Despite nay-saying by at least one analyst, who finds the market over-hyped, 3D printers have made significiant inroads into the plastics industry as well as automotive production.

In fact, according to a new study by the marketers and data journalists at Appinions Inc., the 3D printing market is evolving and maturing rapidly, “as attention and influence shifts from the companies that manufacture these amazing devices to a broad range of industries where the technology is finding distribution and practical applications.”

Related: What Car Brands Will End 2014 With The Best Sales Figures?

Appinions has also compiled a list of what it considers to be the most influential companies involved in the 3D printing market. Here are its Top Five:

5. Intel INTC

The tech giant is also making an impact in the world of 3D printing. As part of its 21st Century Robot Project, the company recently unveiled "Jimmy" – described as an “open source robot that can be printed on a 3-D printer and programmed to do whatever you might like,” at a price expected to come in at under $1,000.

4. 3D Systems DDD

One of the 3D printing sector's trail-blazing firms, 3D Systems isn't resting on its laurels. Last month, the South Carolina-based company announced it had acquired American Precision Prototyping and sister company American Precision Machining. And earlier in the year, according to ValueWalk, 3D Systems bought the imaging product and implants firm Medical Modeling – while partnering with Google GOOG GOOGL on a modular smartphone project that will allow consumers to customize their devices.

3. Stratasys SSYS

The company's strong second quarter earnings, as well as its projections for the second half of this year, “highlights how the 3D printer maker is starting to distance itself from the pack,” says ZDNet. Stratasys also had a good head start too, as one of the older companies in the 3D sector. The company has also been gobbling up other 3D printer firms.

In April Stratasys announced its acquisition of two companies, Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies. Stratasys CEO David Reis said the move would expand customer offering, especially in the medical and aerospace fields. And last year, Stratasys acquired Makerbot, a manufacturer of desktop 3D printer systems.

2. Amazon AMZN

Appinion says Amazon's influence as a retail giant, along with the company's recent introduction of a 3D printed items marketplace, pushed it into the number 2 spot. Petra Schindler-Carter, Amazon’s Marketplace Sales Director was also ranked by Appinion as the most influential executive.

1. Autodesk ADSK

The California-based software company has been involved in 3D technologies and programs for years now. But this past May, Autodesk became 3D printing's apparent 800-pound gorilla, when it unveiled a 3D printing open software platform – and also introduced its own 3D printer.

“If anyone can make a quick mark in the field, Autodesk is a likely candidate,” Daniel Terdiman noted over at CNET, “given its strong reputation and deep integration throughout the technology industry.”