Where Can I 3D Print to Reduce the Bullwhip Effect?

 

3D printing improves the supply chain as it can help to reduce the bullwhip effect.

The “where can I 3D print” thinking helps various sectors to print on-demand objects when there is a clear need for it. 

Various sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, engineering, and R&D can work with 3D printing for their advantage. 

A study showed that 3D printing technologies in comparison with traditional manufacturing offers competitive advantage in the following areas:

1. 66% more design freedom as it can create objects with complex architecture
2. 45% better for multiple iterations
3. 43% reduction in time-to-market
4. 37% savings on production costs

 

How 3D Printing Fabrication Helps Some Industries Supply Chain

 

In the Philippines, 3D printing fabrication is quite useful for the automotive, manufacturing, engineering and medical industry. 

Medical

A good case of this scenario is during the offset of the pandemic. 3D printing helps to produce tons of face shields in order to augment the supply chain overwhelmed by demand. 

As there are no middlemen at play, 3D printers can print continuously. Faster production is possible as they no longer have to rely on third party suppliers to produce the face shields. 

Automotive

For the automotive industry, 3D printing helps in producing low volume spare parts. This is especially helpful for spare parts that need to be sourced overseas or are no longer in production. 

For this specific industry, vintage car enthusiasts and hobbyists find grace in 3D printing. As this technology offers an innovative way to produce missing parts.

Manufacturing

The bottleneck in this industry is the proof of concept and the spare parts. While traditional manufacturing methods are still the best way to create sturdy objects, 3D printing augments its creation at a faster speed and at lower cost.

3D printing fabrication helps in the supply chain of this industry by producing spare parts only when there is a demand. This way, manufacturers no longer have to double down on spare parts supply just by the projection on the retailer end.

Engineering

This sector is known to create designs to solve problems or improve the existing systems. 3D printing fabrication helps this industry by creating prototypes to test out new concepts. 

Contractors and subcontractors can look for places to 3D print their prototypes. This is to test out, apply changes, and test it out again to see if its mechanism indeed works.

Supply chain for the engineering sector also suffers from the bullwhip effect. Not to mention, it disrupts their ability to deliver solutions at a faster rate. 

To illustrate, the spare parts supply chain is often a victim of out of production or costly procurement. 3D printing fabrication of such spare parts helps to produce these parts.

 

5 Ways 3D Printing Fabrication Helps in the Supply Chain

 

3D printing is still evolving. However, its nature projects to reduce, if not eliminate altogether the bullwhip effect. As this phenomena disrupts the supply chain management and often results in revenue loss. 

Places to 3D print impacts the supply chain management. Here are the following benefits:

1. Decentralize Production

Design and production monopoly is no longer in the hands of industry players. The portability nature of 3D printing enables businesses to take production to local markets and customers faster. 

There would be a shift away from mass production in low-cost countries. Instead a paradigm shift into local assembly hubs. Industries will no longer rely solely on imports for procurement. 

2. Highlight on Product Customization

Design freedom is what makes 3D printing an indispensable tool for various industries. This is especially true for the manufacturing, construction, and engineering sectors. 3D printing can help to tailor objects based on the client’s specific requirements.

This ability in turn enhances customer experience. This results in a more agile supply chain that can adapt seamlessly with changing demands. 

3. Complexity Reduction and Improves Time-to-Market

This technology consolidates the number of processes required to produce any object. Imagine that with a useful CAD software, you can create an object design and then a 3D printer will take care of transporting it into reality. 

This particular ability of 3D printing disrupts the tedious processes involved in creating new objects. Supply chain no longer has to stop due to one factor not working efficiently.

4. Improve Resource Efficiency

3D printing is more eco-friendly and produces less waste. As it only uses the needed filaments and energy to create a 3D object. This is also a cost-efficient production method as it has lower risks of overproduction. This in turn reduces inventory overstocking and reduces carbon footprint.

5. Inventory and Logistics Rationalization 

On demand production is becoming the norm. This results in across countries product procurement. This will also impact warehouse and logistics demand. Not to mention the potential to overcome tariffs and trade fair. 

 

What Does 3D Printing Fabrication Needs To Drive Supply Chain Improvements Further

 

The current situation is that 3D printing helps augment the global supply chain. It is possible how this technology streamlines manufacturing processes that affect tons of industries. 

3D printing technology is not yet in its full capacity to eliminate traditional R&D processes in manufacturing. Instead it acts as support and works hand-in-hand to improve the supply chain.

3D printing address evolutionary pressures such as:

1. Increase in production speed
2. Process efficiency and reliability
3. Reduction in machinery and system costs
4. Improvements on product quality and uniformity

These factors often affect new technologies which 3D printing helps to address. 

 

Factors that 3D Printing Needs to Grow

A study suggested that AM needs to improve and grow in these following areas to achieve its sustainable advantages. 

1. 56% on new materials
2. 47% on sustainable technologies
3. 35% on training and education
4. 43% on easier to operate technologies
5. 31% more software
6. 62% more reliable technologies 

 

Looking For 3D Printing Service Near Me? 3D2GO Philippines Is Your Choice

 

As a leading 3D services provider in the country, we offer various services that are useful for various industries. We provide excellent services for your spare parts demands with our 3D printing services. 

If you have no 3D design of your needed objects, we can 3D scan it for you. Then we can create its accurate architecture with 3D design and modeling. Finally print it at your required volume. 

We offer our services to enthusiasts and hobbyists. Also to various businesses in engineering, oil and gas, medical, and automotive sectors.

Contact us today and get our services. We are glad to be of help.