According to the “Wohlers Report 2014”, published by Wohlers Associates, revenues from the production of parts for final products represents 34.7% of the entire market for additive manufacturing and 3D printing (terms that are used interchangeably). The independent consulting firm based in Colorado provides technical, market, and strategic advice on the new developments and trends in additive manufacturing (AM) and rapid product development. Among the clients of Wohlers Associates there are Haier, Ericsson, Nokia, Apple, DuPont, Honeywell and Compaq. According to the report, 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. 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. “We are seeing companies push the limits of additive manufacturing to new levels and apply the technology in entirely new ways”, said Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates. “Through investment, hard work, and determination, companies are finding ways to use AM to produce quality parts”. Given the vast interest and opportunities that lie ahead, Wohlers Associates strongly believes that the use of AM for series production will grow in the future.
