The global 3-D scanning market will reach $4.9 billion by 2020, growing at an annual rate of 12.4 percent, according to a new report from Allied Market Research. The report states, “3-D scanning makes it possible to record the details of an object while minimizing the overall time, cost and effort required in the process.” This revenue growth will be partly the result of increasing adoption of 3-D laser- and light-based scanning within industries such as health care — such technology has proven more efficient in imaging the human body, given its “short and medium range scanning capabilities,” the report states. Other industries, including various manufacturing, pipe check solutions and civil engineering, are also contributing the market’s growth. Companies worldwide are increasingly putting into place scanners and imagers based on 3-D technology, as well as laser technology, the report states. The 3-D scanning technology is less expensive than conventional methods, which is another factor in its growing adoption. The 3-D scanning market is dominated by the North American and European regions, the researchers found, as these collectively contribute to more than two-thirds of the global revenue share. The Asia-Pacific region &mdxash; namely China, Japan and India — is also expected to see rapid growth and generate significant global revenue by 2020. For more information and to view the full report, visit www.alliedmarketresearch.com.