Wohlers Associates has released a report on the state of the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3-D printing industry. The report was developed with the support of 92 service providers, 64 manufacturers of industrial AM systems, and 19 producers of third-party materials and desktop 3-D printers. It also documents government-sponsored R&D, collaborations and consortia, and the activities of 110 academic and 11 research institutes around the world.
According to the report, an estimated 1,768 metal AM systems were sold in 2017, compared to 983 systems in 2016, an increase of nearly 80 percent. This stat supports the finding that global manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of using metal AM to produce parts. The report also suggests that manufacturers have more confidence in metal AM systems because of improved process monitoring and quality assurance measures, although more work is ahead.
In 2017 more than 135 companies around the world produced and sold industrial AM systems, up from 97 companies in 2016. According to the report, new system manufacturers are entering the market at a rapid pace, offering machines with open material platforms, faster print speeds, and lower pricing.
For more information on the report, visit www.wohlersassociates.com/2018report.htm.
