Wohlers Report 2000 Finds Encouraging Growth
in the Rapid Prototyping Industry

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, April 11, 2000—Rapid prototyping (RP) machine sales surged to a record high, according to a new report made available today by Wohlers Associates, Inc.  The growth in unit sales for 1999 was significant in light of the poor results and overall decline experienced in 1998.

Twenty-three system manufacturers worldwide sold 1,195 RP systems in 1999, compared to 981 in the previous year.  "This represents an increase of 22% and a cumulative total of nearly 5,500 machine installations in 53 countries," said industry consultant Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates, Inc.  "These machines produced a staggering 2.34 million models and prototype parts last year," Wohlers estimates.

The news was shared at the Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing 2000 Conference & Exposition held here this week.  Wohlers presented the growth figures and other developments and trends to an international audience of an estimated 500 users, producers, and researchers of RP technology.  The event marked the eighth year that Wohlers delivered the rapid prototyping State of the Industry address at the popular event.  RP&M 2000, sponsored by the Rapid Prototyping Association of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (RPA/SME), is the world's largest and most established conference dedicated to rapid prototyping.  In 1993, Wohlers led a group of 14 individuals from industry and academia to form RPA/SME.

The top three RP system manufacturers, as measured by unit sales, were 3D Systems, Stratasys, and Sanders Prototype, with sales of 303, 293, and 129 systems, respectively.  3D Systems regained its leadership position after losing the top spot to Stratasys in 1998.  3D Systems has been the unit sales leader for 10 of the past 12 years, and it continues to lead in revenues by a margin of about 2.5 to 1.  However, Stratasys' growth produced profit last year, while 3D Systems showed a loss.

3D printers played an important role in last year's expanded growth.  Wohlers Report 2000 shows that a substantial portion of unit sales were 3D printers, a class of RP technology that is less expensive to purchase and maintain.

Thirty-six industry experts, 23 RP systems manufacturers, 44 service providers, and countless others assisted with the development of Wohlers Report 2000.  The annual study has established a tradition of providing high-quality analyses that cover all facets of RP, including business, product, market, technology, and applications.  The 227-page softbound publication includes 28 charts and graphs, 26 tables, and 82 photographs and illustrations.  The report sells for $345 in the U.S. and $395 in all other countries.  The report’s table of contents, as well as additional information on the RP market and industry, are available at WohlersAssociates.com.