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3D Printing Finds Its Place in the Supply Chain

Staff Writer
1/27/2019 | 5 min read
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3D Printing Finds Its Place in the Supply Chain

In a 2016 “Logistics Trend Radar” article, DHL identified 3D printing as a major disruptive trend impacting logistics, due to the technology’s potential to “create instant production and distribution models.”

With just a single 3D printer, companies and consumers can:

  • Cut out steps in the design, prototyping, and manufacturing process
  • Improve delivery time
  • Reduce logistics and production costs
  • Enhance efficiency with greater sustainability

Today, 3D printing is already being used in a number of ways. Here are some of the companies and industries currently making use of this versatile technology:

  • Normal Earphones prints custom-fit headphones, which are designed by analyzing pictures of each customer’s ears.
  • NextDent personalizes dental crowns after performing a 3D scan of the teeth.
  • Medical professionals can now create inexpensive prosthetic hands.
  • Several manufacturers can customize shoe sole inserts based on foot scans.
  • Local Motors has designed the world’s first 3D-printed electric car.

Applications of the technology abound. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s also earning its place within the supply chain.

How 3D Printing Impacts Logistics and Supply Chains

In recent years, 3D printing has brought manufacturing capabilities to several remote, hard-to-access areas across the globe. DHL, for instance, tells us that the U.S. Navy 3D prints drones on-demand on board its oceangoing vessels. NASA, meanwhile, is working to develop a 3D printer for the International Space Station. Shell is also experimenting with this remote manufacturing method on offshore oil platforms.

Pay-for-use or nonprofit fabrication shops are becoming more popular as well, offering public access to 3D printing tools, and some websites have begun aggregating 3D printing designs, allowing customers to compare and select printing services that work for their specific needs.

These initiatives are disrupting the traditional manufacturing supply chain in several ways. In researching warehouse stocking practices in Amsterdam, DiManEx found that approximately 80% of stored products were sold only twice yearly, which led to write-offs, scrapping, and wasted materials. With on-demand, on-site printing, companies can move away from having to store excess spare parts and can instead deliver parts quickly and efficiently, whenever they’re required. Mercedes-Benz Trucks, for instance, allows customers to 3D print more than 30 cargo truck spare parts.

As 3D printing becomes more and more prevalent, expect to see increased supplier consolidation as well. For instance, logistics providers may offer added value by being the ones to process, print, and deliver 3D parts quickly and cheaply. In this way, the typical months-long process of designing, sourcing, and producing component parts can be cut down drastically.

In the future, 3D printing warehouses may also take on the responsibility of material sourcing in addition to 3D end-to-end design, production, and delivery. As an example, consider Amazon’s bet on this technology: The company has patented a truck fitted with 3D printers that would allow for sophisticated mobile manufacturing capabilities. Increased responsiveness is also likely, as 3D printers allow for smaller batch sizes, which can positively impact quality control and open the door for expedited product development.

Finally, this kind of technological innovation is likely to bring about advanced customization options, as users will be able to select various aspects of the design, material, shape, size, packaging, and so on. And in gaining the power to make and deliver their own 3D-printed products, customers will no longer be limited to what suppliers themselves design and produce,

Looking Ahead

All caught up on 3D printing? MIT is currently testing 4D printing, which adds the dimension of change to 3D-printed objects. Keeping up with the latest technology can seem daunting, but with so many options now available to streamline and improve supply chain processes, companies simply can’t afford to stay behind.

 

Image credit: Alex_Traksel/Shutterstock.com

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