SME has released a new report, "Experts in Demand: Growth in Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Creates Need for Professionals," which highlights the exponential growth in the metal AM industry, details the job growth that has resulted, and provides a competency model with in-demand job descriptions for metal AM positions, along with the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the roles/functions that make up the metal AM team.
The overall additive industry grew 21 percent in 2017, as the industry expanded by more than $1.25 billion, creating new products and geometrics that could not be done before. It's estimated that 1,768 metal AM systems were sold in 2017, compared to 983 systems in 2016, an increase of nearly 80 percent. The automotive, aerospace, and biomedical industries are the largest users of metal AM.
To maximize this potential, it is critical that the existing workforce is trained in AM technologies, whether through degree programs, engineering applications, development experience, or AM experience in a project-based environment, SME states.
