FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rapid Prototyping Industry Produces $421 Million
Up from 1995’s $295 Million
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, April 17, 1997 - Last year, the primary rapid
prototyping (RP) market grew by 42.6% to an estimated $421 million, up from
1995’s $295 million. The primary market consists of all products and
services
directly associated with rapid prototyping. Products include RP systems,
system
upgrades, materials, and after-market products such as third-party software
and
lasers. Services include revenues generated from RP models and patterns
produced
on RP systems at service bureaus, RP system maintenance contracts,
training,
seminars, conferences, expositions, advertising, publications, and
consulting
services.
3D Systems, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of stereolithography systems, was the
single largest contributor to the RP market in 1996, generating almost 19%
of the
$421 million. Based on recent growth trends, Wohlers Associates expects the
RP
industry to reach a new milestone in 1999, with sales of products and
services to
exceed $1 billion.
Wohlers Associates reports RP market data, new developments, and industry
trends in a new publication titled Rapid Prototyping State of the Industry:
1997
Worldwide Progress Report. The new 96-page report is available from the
Rapid
Prototyping Association of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
(RPA/SME). To
order the report, contact SME’s Customer Service Department at (800)
733-4763,
or fax (313) 271-2861.
Wohlers Associates, Inc. is a 10-year old independent consulting firm
focusing on
RP, CAD/CAM/CAE, reverse engineering, and rapid product development.
RPA/SME was founded in 1993 by Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers
Associates,
and 13 individuals from industry and academia.
For more information:
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
(970) 225-0086
Fax (970) 225-2027
twohlers@compuserve.com
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