Wohlers Associates is an independent consulting firm that provides technical, market, and strategic advice on the new developments and trends in additive manufacturing (AM), 3D printing, and rapid product development. For twenty years, a Wohlers Report has been released, providing an in-depth review and analysis of the industry worldwide. The Report covers all aspects of AM and 3D printing, including its history, applications, processes, materials, equipment manufacturers, developments in R&D, investment and collaborative activities in government, academia, and industry. The report documents a range of technologies, markets, and business models emerging within the industry, focusing on growth, competitive products and services, and the future outlook for the industry. Here are some main takeaways from the Wohlers Report 2015:
 

  • 3D printing is more commonly used for manufacturing functional parts (both prototype and for end-use applications).
    • The percentage of parts used for functional prototyping or production match last year's numbers at approximately 29% of respondents stating functionality as the most important use for their additive manufacturing parts.  This is a 10% jump from just four years ago, when only 19% of respondents said that functionality was the most popular application.
  • More than 20 3D printed implant products have achieved FDA clearance of use.
    • Wohlers Report 2015 lists 100,000 acetabular (hip cup) implants that have been manufactured to date.  Around 50,000 of those have been produced and implanted into patients.
  • Global revenue from AM products (mostly machines and materials) grew by 31.6% CAGR.
  • In 2014, direct part production for AM grew to 42.6% of total product and service revenues from AM since 2003.

In addition to these takeaways, in 2014:

  • 12,850 industrial AM systems were sold, including vat photopolymerization, material jetting technologies, binder jetting, and plastic and metal laser sintering and melting.
  • 139,548 desktop 3D printers of various types were sold.
    • Even desktop vat polymerization systems are being sold to industrial machine manufacturers, aerospace, academic institutions, consumer products, motor vehicles, medical, government and many other industries.

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