{"id":39924,"date":"2019-08-19T11:57:58","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T15:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=39924"},"modified":"2022-10-18T16:13:51","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T20:13:51","slug":"revolutionizing-supply-chains-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/revolutionizing-supply-chains-3d-printing","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing in Supply Chain Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

Additive manufacturing<\/span><\/a> was created in the 1980s as a tool for engineers to accelerate industrial product development, but the technology was not really in the spotlight until around 2010. At that point, the original 3D printing patents began to expire\u2013opening the door to an industry that still shows no signs of slowing down. <\/span>Recent research<\/span><\/a> easily backs that up:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe global 3D printing market size was valued at USD 13.84 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8% from 2022 to 2030,\u201d states Grand View Research.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe aggressive research and development in 3D printing and the growing demand for prototyping applications from various industry verticals, particularly healthcare, automotive, and defense, are expected to fuel the growth of the market.\u201d<\/span>It\u2019s easy to reel off the benefits of additive manufacturing\u2013from the ability to create sophisticated geometries for applications like <\/span>aerospace<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>medical<\/span><\/a> to lightweighting designs for extremely strong metal designs. Outside of the utilitarian advantages, however, 3D printing has been the catalyst for transforming manufacturing, disrupting \u2018the way it\u2019s always been,\u2019 while still celebrating the merits of traditional production.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain Improves Logistics<\/b><\/h3>\n

3D printing was already established in the mainstream by 2020, but few could have predicted how timely the recognition and use of 3D printing power would coincide with serious global supply chain challenges. The ability to manufacture unique products quickly was extremely helpful during the pandemic, and the Shapeways team had the privilege of 3D printing PPEs like face shields, as well as partnering with other designers to 3D print <\/span>bespoke face masks<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As supply chain issues have only worsened, 3D printing continues to ease the problem, offering a quick solution for many manufacturers worried about delivering orders on time. On-demand 3D printing allows for rapid manufacturing of customized parts, as well as making it possible to set up production in local areas\u2013rather than depending on products from much further away that are stuck in supply chain bottlenecks and delays.<\/span><\/p>\n

On-Demand 3D Printing Redefines Inventory Management<\/h3>\n

Supply chains encompass a huge network. Traditionally, an exhaustive amount of work goes on behind the scenes before businesses deliver products into the hands of expectant customers\u2013and even before that, raw materials must be created and processed too. On-demand 3D printing transforms how products are manufactured, how inventory is stored, and how business is transacted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shapeways 3D prints highly customized designs with no machining or tooling, and little to no lead times. Customers in the midst of prototyping can also iterate or make changes as needed. With the ability to maintain 3D designs in a digital library and order parts from Shapeways as desired, progressive manufacturers can whittle down their quantity of inventory\u2013and warehouse space\u2013significantly. This is especially helpful in areas where warehouses are difficult to find, and in some cases where larger businesses with more resources are purchasing them before they are even built.<\/span><\/p>\n

With on-demand 3D printing, parts are not over-produced and left to sit and gather dust. Improved efficiency also means that Shapeways customers get their products to market faster. Other great features include:<\/span><\/p>\n