Wohlers Associates Inc. has released an annual report showing that metal additive manufacturing (AM) grew by 80 percent from 2016 to 2017. About 1,768 metal 3-D print systems were sold in 2017 compared to 983 systems in 2016.
Among the factors driving the growth in metal 3-D printing systems are improved process monitoring and better quality assurance procedures. The Wohlers Report 2018 also noted that manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of metal 3-D printing.
Meanwhile, the number of companies now producing industrial-grade AM systems—those costing more than $5,000—increased from 97 in 2016 to 135 in 2017.
