Speaker: Scott Sevcik, Director Advisory Services, Wohlers Associates
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Implications of AM Adoption in Sustainment
19 Nov 2025
A clear indication of technology maturation is the transition from early adopters to customers in the broader market. These customers are less willing to take risks and invest the time required to learn and understand a technology. Instead, they prefer to adopt a technology they view as proven by others. Certain industries are now showing signs of this transition in AM. This is particularly true for vehicle sustainment. Recent years have shown examples of commercial airlines buying 3D-printed parts from service providers to address shortages in replacement parts. Likewise, militaries are now looking to proven AM solutions to support obsolesce in aging fleets. It is important to understand what has led to this step in maturity, whether it represents a tipping point, and where one should look for the next wave of similar adoption.