FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, February 24, 1998 – Last year, 1,057 rapid prototyping (RP) systems were sold worldwide, compared to 787 in 1996, according to a new industry report announced today by Wohlers Associates, Inc.  This represents unit sales growth of 34% for the year, compared to growth of 46% the year before.  Since 1988, a total of 3,289 RP systems have been sold to industrial, academic, and government sites around the world.

The top three unit sales performers last year were RP system manufacturers 3D Systems, Stratasys, and Sanders Prototype, with sales of 278, 260, and 152 systems, respectively. 3D Systems has sold more RP systems in the past 10 years than any other company in the world.  With its Stereolithography and Actua products, 3D Systems was also the industry leader in annual revenues in 1997.  With sales of about $90.3 million, the company outsold its nearest competitor by a margin of three to one.