Wohlers Report 2010 on additive manufacturing

Links to two articles on the Wohlers Report 2010.

This is from the TCT News:

Wohlers Associates, Inc. has announced the publication of Wohlers Report 2010, a 250-page analysis of the newest developments and trends in additive manufacturing (AM) worldwide.According to the new report, demand for products and services from additive-manufacturing technology has been strong over its 22-year history. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of revenues produced by all products and services over this period is 26.4%. The CAGR slowed to 3.3% over the past three years, with 2009 being the slowest in many years, by far. Despite a weak 2009 overall, unit sales were strong due to the impact of very low-cost machines based on open-source developments. Annual unit sales of AM systems worldwide grew by an estimated 13.9%, according to the new report.

And this is from Plastics News:

The 250-page report includes new sections on open-source 3D printers and the state of business among service providers.

The research firm also predicts continued growth for the direct production of finished goods using additive manufacturing. So far, two markets have emerged. A market of professionals includes products for medical, dental, aerospace, automotive and motor sports industries. Consumers account for the second market, including furniture and home accessories, toys, game avatars and fashion products.

“Using additive manufacturing for part production is considered the next frontier, with opportunities beyond measure,” said Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates and the principal author of the report.

The technology allows you do make products in quantities from one to several thousand, he said.