3D printing in the supply chain

How is 3D printing shaping future supply chains?

3D printing is the layering of materials to produce finished goods. 3D printing is no longer about using plastic, but materials such as metal, body tissues, concrete and food are all now being used as part of the 3D printing process. So, what does this mean for supply chains? 3D printing can help to reduce supply complexities, increase the speed to market of product, reduce global impact and allows remote locations to print replacement parts.

The products produced by 3D printing are also often lighter and stronger, produced locally and require fewer natural resources as they are built up rather than bore out, which all contribute to your organisation’s sustainability goals. Whilst 3D printing does not replace mass production, it does open a whole word of opportunities for product personalisation.

What are the benefits of 3D printing?

There are many benefits that organisations can leverage from the adoption of this technology:

• As 3D printing builds items layer by layer, it enables design freedom.
• 3D printing operators only need to know how to operate the equipment and materials to use. This is compared to traditional manufacturing which requires careful studying of how to manufacture and assemble.
• Reduction in inventory levels can become a reality, as parts can be made to order on site or at a local supply source.
• Meeting consumer demands for bespoke products at a realistic price point can leverage new market opportunities. 
• Environmental impact can be radically reduced as we remove by products from the manufacturing process and cease to ship goods around the globe.
• Products made by 3D printing methods are lighter and stronger

What are the challenges of 3D printing?

There are some significant challenges organisations face when thinking about implementing 3D printing into their manufacturing methods.

• Inconsistency:
  3D printing is not standardised. This means product quality can vary from printer to printer, which brings a great deal of risk.
• High costs:
  A 3D printer is not cheap; particularly if you’re looking to manufacture large volumes of goods that have many layers.
• Knowledge:
  3D printers are complex machines and employees may find them difficult to operate. This brings some additional costs such as investing time and money in training the right people to use the machines.
• Intellectual property rights:
  There remain concerns over the freedom to generate items on a 3D printer that may breech intellectual property rights.
• Speed of output:
  The desire to bring 3D printing into the manufacturing process is outweighed by the output capacity of the 3D printer, the technology is evolving at a slower speed than demand.

How does 3D printing help sustainability?

3D printing is a sustainable manufacturing method, which can contribute to your organisations sustainability goals and reduce the impact on the environment.

• Compared to traditionally manufactured goods, 3D printing requires less energy when used for producing a small series of items.
• 3D printed products need less long-haul transportation resulting in the decline of C02 emissions.
• 3D printing may shift employment from developing to developed countries, which could reduce unemployment rates in deprived areas.
• 3D printing does not generate waste, making it a solution to support waste reduction.

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