3D printing is a new technology which makes
personal fabrication possible. 3D Printing builds up layers of material
(plastics, ceramics or metal powders) using a computer-aided design to create a
three-dimensional product. [1] This allows to manufacture items with minimal
human assistance, a large number of 3D printers could be a cost-effective way
to produce any small product or part without a large workforce -meaning the
manufacturer is able to move production closer to the end user at a low cost.[1]
Although duo to high cost, 3D printing technology is not a mainstream in manufacturing
or design process, but the advantages from using 3D printers are so attracting
and obvious that I believe it will be largely used in future and change the
structure of supply chain, bring both opportunities and threatens to logistics
companies and globalized manufacturing market.
3D printing technology will largely
simplified the flow of supply chain.
When the 2D printing becomes mature, either
using a personal 3D printer or relay on local services, the traditional supply
chain will be changed. A typical supply chain is illustrated as picture 1, it
includes outsourcing manufacturing part and international transportation part
and inevitable warehouses.
Picture 1
And under using 3D printers, the new supply
chain could be simplified as picture 2 in which situation producers and
manufacture different designs and product parts locally. This modification
bring outsourcing producing back home which eliminate time and cost on
outsourcing and global transportations. Additionally, the characteristic of 3D
printing also gives producers a capability to produce on demand of customers
which can help reduce level of warehouse.
Picture 2
To summarize, the simplification of supply
chain using 3D printing can lead to:[3]
1.Shorter lead times
2.Reduced supply chain risk
3.Reduction of transportation costs
Facing the coming revolution of 3D printing
technology, companies from all parts in the supply chain should consider the
opportunities and threatens it may bring. First, to traditional logistic companies,
3D printing will cause a decline in the cargo industry, reducing the demand for
long-distance transportation such as air, sea and rail freight industries. [1] The
logistic companies which do not realize the coming revolutions cannot adapt to
the new situation. As every coin has two sides, with 3D Printing, logistics companies
could also become able to act as the manufacturers.
Some constraints of 3Dprinting are it
currently only focus on small products manufacturing and the relatively high
cost. And changing traditional manufacturing machines to 3D printing will also
induce a high cost, this could also be a reason manufacturing companies
hesitate to use 3D printing. How to better switch a traditional manufacturing
flow to a new model using 3D printing without inducing high costs? what is the way
out for logistic firms? And is there a possibility that when everyone has a 3D
printing machine at home which leads to the extinction of manufacturing
companies someday in future?
References:
Nice post with great info and details. I need a Plastic cards printing machine, where i can get the best one?
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