The number of commercial 3D printers has
grown by 6,500% in less than five years.
Whether it’s an experiment with new materials or a whole
new product line, 3D printing has become an integral part of
the development process due to its low-cost flexibility in the
prototyping phase.
MASS MANUFACTURING
Historically, assembly line manufacturing has been geographically
aligned, with massive factories churning out millions of identical
products, then shipping them closer to the point of purchase. With 3D
printing, manufacturing occurs much closer to the end user, if not by
the end user himself. For instance, cloud-based additive manufacturing
allows service providers and customers to design parts, upload them to a
website, and have those parts shipped directly. Because mass production
would no longer need to be outsourced, parts are printed closer to the
end user, reducing or eliminating storage and logistics costs, as well as
shipping delays.
Today, 3D printing is
beginning to take its
place among the likes
of digital technology
and the Internet of
Things as a major
disruptor to the current
business model.
18 | SNB.COM // CONNECT TECHNOLOGY FALL 2016
MASS CUSTOMIZATION
Traditional manufacturing necessitates the fabrication of molds, casts, and
other production tools used to mass produce identical products. 3D printing
allows for the creation of low quantities of such tools at a fraction of the
cost, making customer personalization a fast, cost-effective option for
businesses. With today’s manufacturers holding $1.7 trillion in inventory at
any given time, a shift from mass production to lower volume runs would
eliminate the need for large warehouses. Items like automotive parts, dental
implants, hearing aids, and jewelry can all be customized through additive
manufacturing, while providing businesses the opportunity to increase
revenue, productivity, and brand loyalty.
MAINSTREAM PRINTING
Personal 3D printers are still rare and materials limited, but forecasts
estimate that over one million personal printers will be sold by 2020. In
the future, print-on-demand services will disrupt traditional order-shipment sales, as customers purchase and download designs, and print the
product at home.
Business leaders who are at least dabbling in 3D technology have a
strong advantage over those who wait for years to determine how it will
affect their bottom lines. While manufacturers have been first to change
strategy, any prudent company should begin assessing the implications
for its business now.