Wohlers Report 2018 Shows Rise in Metal Additive Manufacturing
The report shows an increase of nearly 80 percent in metal 3D printing equipment sales over the previous year.
Wohlers Associates has released the Wohlers Report 2018, the next in a series of annual reports on additive manufacturing (AM) the firm has published for 23 consecutive years. The 2018 report indicates overall AM sector growth of 21 percent, and an expansion of more than $1.25 billion.
According to the new 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 rise in metal AM system installations accompanies improved process monitoring and quality assurance measures in metal AM, the organization says.
Wohlers Associates found that 135 companies around the world produced and sold industrial AM systems in 2017, up from 97 companies in 2016. These systems are defined as machines that sell for more than $5,000.
Seventy-six co-authors and contributors from 32 countries shared data and expertise to form the basis of analysis in Wohlers Report 2018. This year’s report includes new and expanded sections on design for additive manufacturing, postprocessing, and a range of startup companies and research initiatives.
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