Wohlers Associates, Inc.

A relatively recent development is quietly taking place, and it could have an interesting impact on the additive manufacturing (AM) industry.

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana

An annual report that provides a global review and analysis of additive fabrication technologies and applications. It covers the many aspects of additive fabrication, including its history, the industries served, applications, challenges, revenues, unit sales and forecasts as well as industry trends and developments in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

Reviewing the cost of a 3-D printer will determine if it's a justifiable expense and a desirable solution.

How High Schools, Colleges, and Universities Leverage 3D Printing Technology.

Communicate increased product knowledge from conceptual design through production. 

Fast, affordable 3D prints facilitate interaction between product design and manufacturing.

The 3DP User Group organized the world's most impressive collection of color models produced by 3D printing.

Terry Wohlers' view from 10 years ago--Where the industry was headed and where it ended up. 

Despite a challenging year, the RP industry has continued its research and development of new products, processes, materials and applications.

The importance of additive manufacturing (AM) is certainly growing, and many people are being confronted with the tech that they may not have even a basic understanding about.

As 3D printer hardware and materials evolve, and the demand for them increase, some unit prices will likely dip below $20,000 for the first time. 

To offer winning products, companies must make sweeping changes - both cultural and technical - to their product development practices.

"Rapid prototyping" once served well as the term used to describe a class of technology and its application, but times have changed.

As new materials are introduced to the RP industry, it may be worthwhile to revisit processes that have been previously dismissed as not being viable. 

This executive summary provides an overview of the information in Wohlers Report 2007, a 220-page, softbound publication. The report provides a worldwide review and analysis of additive fabrication. The technology encompasses a wide range of applications, including modeling, prototyping, pattern making, tooling, custom and replacement part manufacturing, short-run production and even series production. 

With shipments of 3D printers nearly doubling over the past year, interest in acquiring 3D printing technology has increased dramatically. 

The Rapid Prototyping Association (RPA) of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Since the inception of this organization, much has changed. And yet, many things remain the same. 

This two-part series provides a timeline that shows how additive fabrication technologies have developed from 1987 to 2007. The first part covers 1987 through 2002. The following was excerpted from Wohlers Report 2007.

This two-part series provides a timeline that shows how additive fabrication technologies have developed from their inception in 1987 to 2007. This part picks up where Part 1 ended. The following was excerpted from Wohlers Report 2007.

Locating the right rapid product development service provider can be a challenge.

Business trips around the world are starting to become more common. Learn how Terry Wohlers managed to survive one extreme business trip where he traveled from the U.S. to Europe, to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Tokyo, and then back to the U.S. again to complete a loop around the world in just nine days.

Learn more tips from someone who survived a nine-day loop around the world to make your own business trips a little easier. 

More and more business is being conducted abroad, so it’s a good idea to know about the culture before you go so that you don’t commit a major faux pas. For this and the next issue, our Viewpoint column will touch on some of the major cultures around the world and what is accepted, expected and just plain frowned upon. What’s proper in one country may not be in the next. Avoid mistakes that can lead to a less than favorable impression and reduce the chances of success when traveling on business.

More and more business is being conducted abroad, so it’s a good idea to know about the culture before you go so that you don’t commit a major faux pas. For this and the November/December issue of TCT, our Viewpoint column will touch on some of the major cultures around the world and what is accepted, expected and just plain frowned upon. What’s proper in one country may not be in the next. Avoid mistakes that can lead to a less than favorable impression and reduce the chances of success when traveling on business.

Knowledge of both technologies is important for the selection of the right tool for the job.

What has the RP industry taken from this German inventor and the processes that followed.

Will material cost, processing issues and company culture stifle growth?

What is the next major crossroad, for better or worse, in additive fabrication?

Industry and academic conferences and expositions in the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world focus on additive fabrication.

Developing new RP products takes more than just simply opening up a shop and calling yourself a rapid prototyper. Or does it? Here are some thoughts from our advisory board.

The resolution of eight lawsuits paves the way for improved competition and a stronger industry. 

Although the definition of rapid prototyping is varied and the application of the term is diverse, it will continue to be the commonly used term to describe such processes as SLA, SLS and FDM.

Additive technologies will play a significant role in the production of custom and personalized products in the future.

Having the capability to produce models and prototype parts within a CAD design office provides designers and engineers with immediate feedback that can help compress product design cycles.

The key to RP success is a strategic plan for the future while acquiring the people, processes and skills necessary to supoort the plan.