Supercharg3d : The Impact of 3D Printing on Your Supply Chain

The 3D printed supply chain: stronger, faster, and more flexible

Most people were introduced to the concept of Additive Manufacturing (AM) for the first time during President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address. This technology, more commonly referred to as 3D printing, is believed by most to be in its relative infancy. What people don’t know is that it has been developing for the past three decades and is just now starting to garner the attention it deserves for the impact it will have on manufacturing operations and traditional supply chains.

My first encounter with 3D Printing was 15 months ago on deployment to Bahrain. ‘While reading New York Times bestseller, Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Dr. Peter Diamandis (Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation) and Steven Kotler (bestselling author and science journalist), I was introduced to the technology as one of several that have the potential to solve the world’s greatest problems. They explain that, “Suddenly an invention developed in China can be perfected in India then printed in Brazil on the same day.” (LOC 1369 Kindle)

Working in the supply office of a US Navy Minesweeper helped me realize the vast potential that could be unlocked if we had access to a 3D printer on the ship. Assuming we could print enough parts to justify the initial investment in the technology, we could save time and money on transportation costs, benefit from skilled technical distance support, reduce opportunity cost (the cost incurred when we don’t execute), and increase overall mission readiness. The idea of not having to suffer long lead-times for one-off production runs of legacy parts, items no longer provided through the Navy stock system, intrigued me and I began to investigate the history and capabilities of this technology.

The impact of 3-D Printing on supply chains – Infographic

Jones Lang LaSalle EMEA Research demonstrates the impact additive manufacturing will have on the global supply chain.

Though its impact is still modest, according to Jones Land LaSalle EMEA Research, 3-D printing has the potential to totally transform manufacturing – and supply chains – as we know them.

In coming years, additive manufacturing will create a demand for smaller, localized manufacturing environments capable of custom production, shortened lead time and drastic cuts in transportation costs and overall carbon footbrings.

Here, Jones Lang LaSalle EMEA Research, demonstrates the impact 3-D printing tools along with the emergence of local and regional additive manufacturing hubs will have on the supply chain and the difference that will make from the traditional global system.

Jack Wolfskin improves hiking pack design with 3D printing

Outdoor gear manufacturer Jack Wolfskin has improved the weight, durability and ventilation of its hiking packs with additive manufacturing.

Developed in partnership with plastics technology company Oechsler and 3D printer manufacturer Carbon, the firm’s new 3D Aerorise Carry System uses four independent 3D printed panels to deliver a lightweight, multi-zone body fit capable of reducing back temperatures by up to 5°C.

“Comfort, load control and ventilation are age-old challenges in pack design,” said Magdalen Hamel, Category Manager, Equipment at Jack Wolfskin. “The technology presented in Aerorise benefits hikers on the trail and takes the industry in a new direction.