There are now over 1,000 listed locations worldwide where RP and RE services can be obtained, including commercial businesses, academic institutions and government agencies. There were about 640 in 2003 and 732 in 2006.

There are now nearly 800 independent commercial entities that provide rapid prototyping services. The overall number of service providers in the US has grown by more than 40% just since 2006, but foreign commercial organizations have increased by nearly 46% over the period. Service providing locations outside the US represent 62% of the total, and that share of the market continues to increase.

The dominant technology provided by service bureaus is stereolithography, with about 57% providing that service. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is next with 54% providing that technology.

The penetrations of other technologies remain relatively low compared to the two dominant technologies, but significant changes are occurring. Penetrations of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and three dimensional printing (3DP) have been edging up. Now, 29% of service locations provide FDM and 3DP is offered by 15%. Jetted photopolymer technologies are now available from 14% of commercial providers, approximately doubling their penetration since 2006. Laminated object manufacturing (LOM) and wax material-based multi-jet modeling are falling out of favor, but their use continues for specialized applications.

Service providers have been widening their technology offerings in recent years. About 60% of SB's provide 2 or more additive technologies, and 30% provide 3 or more. Four technologies are available at 140 locations.

Nearly 19% of rapid prototyping service providers worldwide also provide reverse engineering services. Also included are organizations which provide reverse engineering services, but don't provide RP. There are approximately 65 such organizations, worldwide, including manufacturers that also provide services.

How to Order

 

 

Purchase by Credit Card or through a PayPal® account. To intitiate your purchase simply click the "Buy Now" button below. Please provide your complete contact information so we can register you for low-cost updates in the future. This information will not be shared with thrird parties, nor will you receive solicitations from us. The database will be sent to you by email shortly after your transaction clears.	Note that while credit card transactions are handled through PayPal®, an Ebay company, it's NOT necessary for you to have a PayPal® account.
Purchase by Check, Bank Draft or Wire Transfer. Please click here for details.
Registered users can obtain a low-cost update for US$199 by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below. If you have purchased the Database in the past TWO YEARS, you are a registered user. If you're not sure of the date of your purchase, please contact us.