Production of final parts in 3D printing tops $1 billion in value
The takeaway
More than one-third of the 3D printing market is now engaged in printing parts for final products.
The details
In its research for Wohlers Report 2014, Terry Wohlers and his team found that revenues from the production of parts for final products represents 34.7% of the entire market for additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing—terms that are used interchangeably. Since 2003, this market segment has gone from less than 4% to more than one-third of total revenues from AM products and services worldwide. In capturing this share of the market, the use of AM for this application grew by 65.4% in 2013 to an estimated $1.065 billion, up from $643.8 million the prior year. This is the first time in the history of AM for this market segment to reach the $1 billion mark.
The percentage of revenue from the production of parts for final production using Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), by year. (Source: Wohlers Associates)
“We are seeing companies push the limits of additive manufacturing to new levels and apply the technology in entirely new ways,” says Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates and a principal author of Wohlers Report 2014. “Through investment, hard work, and determination, companies in aerospace, medical, dental, and other industries are finding ways to use AM to produce quality parts,” Wohlers adds. Given the vast interest and opportunities that lie ahead, Wohlers Associates says it strongly believes that the use of AM for series production will grow to become the largest application, by far, in the future.
The 276-page Wohlers Report 2014 is packed with up-to-date and practical information that includes 35 charts and graphs, 60 tables, and 248 images and illustrations. The report, which sells for US$495, was created with support from 82 service providers, 29 system manufacturers, and the contributions of 70 co-authors in 24 countries, including Consilia Vektor principal analyst Randall S. Newton. The 2014 edition marks the 19th consecutive year of its publication.
For more information visit http://wohlersassociates.com.