Wohlers Report 2017 shows increased AM commercialisation and development worldwide
Nearly half of all service providers surveyed by the report are running AM systems that produce metal parts, the report found (Courtesy Wohlers Associates)
Wohlers Associates, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, a consulting firm and leading authority on Additive Manufacturing, has announced the publication of the Wohlers Report 2017. This edition marks the report’s 22nd consecutive year.
According to Wohlers Report 2017, 97 manufacturers produced and sold Additive Manufacturing systems in 2016, compared to 62 companies in 2015 and 49 in 2014. This increase in development and commercialisation is putting pressure on established producers of AM systems, the report states.
The AM industry grew by 17.4% in worldwide revenues in 2016, a decrease of 25.9% from 2015. According to the report, this decrease is the result of declines by the two largest system manufacturers in AM. Together, the two companies represent $1.31 billion (21.7%) of the $6.063 billion AM industry. If these two companies were excluded from the analysis, the industry would have grown by 24.9%.
For Wohlers Report 2017, input was collected from 100 service providers, 61 industrial system manufacturers, and 19 producers of third-party materials and low-cost desktop 3D printers.
Separately, 76 experts and organisations in 31 countries contributed information and insight to the new publication. Together, they form the basis for computing growth, analysing trends, and forecasting the future of AM. The 344-page report includes 28 charts and graphs, 26 tables, and 232 photographs and illustrations.
