Metal Additive Manufacturing grew 80% in 2017 and Additive manufacturing grew 21% overall

A. Wohlers Associates has published its series of annual reports on AM for 23 consecutive years.

* an estimated 1,768 metal AM systems were sold in 2017, compared to 983 systems in 2016, an increase of nearly 80%.

Wohlers Associates found that 135 companies around the world produced and sold industrial AM systems in 2017, up from 97 companies in 2016. These systems are defined as machines that sell for more than $5,000. New system manufacturers are entering the AM market at a dizzying pace, while releasing machines with open material platforms, faster print speeds, and lower pricing.