Big four dominate mechanical CAD market

The Wohlers Report reveals that the mechanical CAD and product lifecycle management market grew to nearly $4 billion in 2004 for the top four firms, up 14.5% from $3.38 billion the year before.

Wohlers Associates, in partnership with Cyon Research, has found that the mechanical CAD (MCAD) and product lifecycle management (PLM) market grew to nearly $4 billion in 2004 - $3.871 billion to be exact - for the top four firms, up 14.5% from the $3.38 billion the year before.

Net income among the four major companies (Autodesk, Dassault, UGS and PTC) grew an impressive 79.7% to $487 million, up from $271 million in 2003.

The leading MCAD product in 2004 (in commercial seats), according to the study, was Autodesk Inventor, followed by Catia, UGS NX, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer and Solid Edge.

MCAD products not counted in the study include Alibre, KeyCreator, OneSpace Designer, IronCAD, thinkdesign, VX CAD/CAM and Cobalt.

Cyon Research worked closely with Wohlers Associates to determine CAD solid modelling growth trends.

This information has helped Wohlers Associates forecast the expansion and acceptance of additive fabrication technology for applications such as rapid prototyping, the primary focus of Wohlers Report 2005.

This worldwide study presents the rapid prototyping, tooling, and manufacturing state of the industry in a 256-page softbound publication.

Wohlers Report 2005 sells for $425 in the USA and $445 in all other countries.

The report's table of contents, as well as additional information on the rapid prototyping market and industry, are available from the Wohlers Associates website.

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