3D Printing: The Future of Supply Chain & Manufacturing?

3D Printing is a buzz word in many settings right now, including the supply chain and technology area. So what is it exactly? 3D printing is the ability to make 3 dimensional parts or graphs, based off of dimensions given to the machine. This technology has been around for over 30 years, however the costs have always outweighed the benefits until recently. 3D Printing has taken off as of late because the costs allow bigger companies to put the technology in place at a lower costs.

Below is a picture of a large 3D printer. There is a screen to enter the dimensions and specifications necessary to make the part, and the middle where the part is made. 

Picture Courtesy: 3D Print.com

How does this apply to Supply Chain?

With the ability to manufacture plastic and metal parts within the 2-thousandth of an inch, 3D printing allows companies to be more lenient with their inventory in a variety of ways. For example, if there is a part that rarely gets used the company may wish to utilize 3D printing rather than carry the part and deal with holding costs. This allows the company to rely less on forecasting and use more of a Just In Time approach, taking away some of the risk of their supply chain as well. 

This can be utilized by small companies as well because a smaller 3D printer can be purchased. This can still help them because a usual barrier to entry is the big cost of research and design, as well as casting. That casting cost will be cut down because they have the ability to make the part themselves with the 3D printer. 

This technology for the reasons mentioned above and more could prove to be a heavy part of supply chain and manufacturing in the future. If you are curious about learning more, check out some of the other ways 3D printing can be used by clicking the links below!

3D Printing in Retail: Forbes

3D Printing Changing the World: The Economist

Thanks for reading!

Andrew