Wohlers Associates, Inc. has published Wohlers Report 2011, an annual global study on the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing state of the industry. The new report documents the latest developments in additive manufacturing technologies, including the explosive growth of low-cost “personal” systems that support the do-it-yourself “maker movement.” It discusses other trends in the industry, such as the rapid development of metal materials and the increasing use of these technologies for the production of end-use products.

According to the report, the AM industry rebounded strongly in 2010 from the global economic recession. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of revenues produced by all AM products and services in 2010 was 24.1%. In 2009, the industry declined by 9.7%. The CAGR for the industry’s 23-year history is an impressive 26.2%.

“I am happy to see the additive manufacturing industry recover as quickly as it has,” said Tim Caffrey, associate consultant at Wohlers Associates and a major contributor of content and editorial for the new edition of the report. “We expect the industry to continue its strong double-digit growth over the next several years,” Caffrey stated. Wohlers Associates conservatively forecasts industry-wide growth to be $3.1 billion by 2016 and $5.2 billion by 2020.

The 270-page report includes new sections on intellectual property and product liability implications, and expanded information on end-use part production. It also includes industry growth estimates and forecasts, new developments and business opportunities, emerging applications, research and development, and where the industry is headed in the future. The study was created with support from 58 co-authors, 70 service providers, 32 system manufacturers, and many others worldwide. To support the review and analysis, the report includes 43 charts and graphs, 60 tables, and 176 photographs and illustrations.

The report is priced at US $495 worldwide and is available in PDF form. The report’s table of contents, as well as additional information on the market and industry, are available at wohlersassociates.com.

Wohlers Associates
wohlersassociates.com

 

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::