The additive manufacturing sector continued its double-digit revenue growth in 2022, expanding 18.3 percent worldwide, slightly lower than the 19.5 percent growth of 2021.
AM is gaining ground in new uses, according to the just-released Wohlers Report 2023 from Fort Collins, Colo.-based Wohlers Associates Inc.
New content in the annual report addresses large-format uses such as construction and aerospace, and examines the increasing number of AM codes and standards.
"The AM industry is continuing to expand into end-use production applications," Terry Wohlers, head of advisory services and market intelligence at Wohlers Associates, said in a March 30 news release. "This trend will grow as standards are further developed and adopted. AM is delivering larger and more critical parts across multiple industry sectors."
The report features input from 10 industry sectors and intelligence from industry experts in 35 countries.
Coverage of Argentina, Greece and Czech Republic is expanded in this report, which also addresses the new subjects of recycling and the circular economy, opportunities and challenges associated with metal binder jetting and point-of-care additive manufacturing in health care.
There is also new information on recruiting a young workforce into 3D printing.
Discussion has been expanded in several areas including investments and startups, and the future of AM related to workforce development, automated production and emerging applications.
Input for the report came from 128 manufacturers of AM systems, 119 service providers and 28 producers of third-party materials.
Wohlers Associates was acquired in 2021 by standards organization ASTM International in West Conshohocken, Pa.