益普索-3D打印：制造业与供应链中新的可能性领域的成因（英文版）-2017.1-20页-3mb

3D Printing: Transforming Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Core Content

3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), is revolutionizing the manufacturing and supply chain industries by offering new ways to produce goods, reduce costs, and streamline logistics. The technology enables the creation of complex, customized products with minimal waste and significant efficiency gains. It is already being used by major companies like Airbus and GE Aviation to produce critical aircraft components, and is expected to have a profound impact on various sectors including aviation, automotive, medicine, and electronics.

Main Viewpoints

• 3D printing is a complementary technology to traditional manufacturing, not a replacement. It allows for greater design flexibility and customization, while still supporting mass production through economies of scale.
• It enables lightweighting and cost savings, especially in industries where the weight of a component affects operational costs over time.
• The technology is becoming faster and more accessible, with the potential to significantly reduce production times and costs as hardware and materials improve.
• 3D printing shortens the supply chain by allowing on-demand manufacturing, reducing the need for warehousing, and enabling localized production.

Key Information

3D Printing in Manufacturing

• GE Aviation is using 3D printing to produce jet engine fuel nozzles, which are more durable and require fewer parts than traditional manufacturing methods.
• Airbus and Boeing are already using 3D printing to create parts for their aircraft, such as the A350 and B787 Dreamliner, with benefits including reduced weight, lower costs, and less waste.
• Google’s Project Ara aims to use 3D printing for mass production of smartphone modules, utilizing a continuous motion system for high-speed printing.

Impact on Supply Chain

• 3D printing can reduce lead times and costs by eliminating the need for molds, casts, and other traditional manufacturing tools.
• Near-sourcing and localized production are becoming more viable, reducing the volume of goods that need to be shipped internationally.
• Push-to-pull supply chains are expected to become more common, shifting from mass production to customer-driven, on-demand manufacturing.
• Agile manufacturing allows companies to respond more quickly to market demands and reduce inventory levels and obsolescence.

Logistics and Supply Chain Models

• 3PL and 4PL providers may shift from delivering finished products to providing raw materials and 3D printing services at the point of use.
• 3D printing hubs are being established to support localized and distributed manufacturing, potentially reducing delivery times and improving supply chain efficiency.
• UPS is at the forefront of adopting 3D printing, using it to provide on-demand parts and prototypes, and partnering with companies like CloudDDM and Stratasys.

Adoption in Asia

• Asia is a growing market for 3D printing, with North America and Europe currently leading, but the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, is expected to take the lead in the future.
• ASEAN countries are beginning to adopt 3D printing, though at a slower pace. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are leading the way in the region, with strong government support and industry collaboration.
• Singapore is developing as a regional AM hub through initiatives like the National AM Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), which includes partnerships with institutions like Nanyang Technological University and A*STAR.
• Standards development is crucial for the growth of 3D printing, and Singapore is playing a key role in this by collaborating with global testing bodies like United Laboratories (UL).

Future Outlook

• 3D printing will democratize manufacturing, allowing individuals and small businesses to produce goods without the need for large-scale production facilities.
• The technology has the potential to reshape global logistics, by enabling more efficient, localized, and sustainable supply chains.
• Challenges remain, including the need for more industry participation, the development of a robust AM community, and the creation of industry-specific standards.

Conclusion

3D printing is poised to become a cornerstone of future manufacturing and supply chain practices. It offers significant advantages in terms of customization, efficiency, and sustainability, and is already being adopted by leading companies across the globe. As the technology continues to evolve, it will further disrupt traditional models, shorten supply chains, and create new opportunities for innovation and business growth.