3D PRINTING A VIRTUAL INVENTORY
NEXA 3D
Creating your own digital warehouse
The traditional warehouse model of mass-producing parts , storing them centrally and shipping them to an end destination to be catalogued and stored again , is plagued with inefficiencies . 3D printing means producing parts on demand , only when — and where — needed . But , to produce virtual inventory at scale requires a strategy , a roadmap and the right tools . Here Avi Reichental , CEO and chairman of Nexa3D , explains .
3D printing makes the virtual warehouse possible . In this model , design files are stored virtually , removing the need for tools or molds , reducing lead times and providing a mechanism to prevent to supply chain disruptions . With production closer to the point of use , manufacturers benefit from more control over their supply chain , a lower risk of stockouts and reduced inventory costs . The environmental benefits to producing parts locally are compelling too , around 30 per cent of US energy usage in 2017 was from transporting goods and people .
Though the utopia of a virtual warehouse is often discussed , there is very little information available on where to start . It ’ s time to close the gap between aspiration and execution .
TESTING THE WATER
A good place to start is using a smart software tool to identify which parts are suitable for 3D printing . A decision support software that includes artificial intelligence ( AI ) can sift through thousands of parts to determine which are suitable for turning into digital inventory and which must stay as physical . Complex geometries make a great project , but components containing PCBs are likely to be a challenge to tackle further down the line .
The software can take all this into account , evaluating your bill of materials ( BOM ), looking at prototypes , service parts and minimum order quantities , before making suggestions .
WHERE DO I START ?
Once the tool has identified a list of possible options , you begin evaluating which parts make the most sense for your business . This could be low volume parts that typically sit in the warehouse for long periods , or obsolete and difficult-to-source components . While there are obvious advantages to 3D printing low volume parts , the virtual warehouse is not limited to them — the NXE400 can produce half a million parts a year .
For many companies , a logical place to start is aftermarket parts . Tailhousing for brake lights on vehicles that are a few years old , for example , can be difficult to source and , if you do have them in stock , they commonly sit on the shelf for long periods of time .
Many medical and dental parts are also suitable for 3D printing , such as custom dental restorations , aligners or hip replacements , which can be produced for individual patients , rather than made in a set of standard sizes . Aerospace and defence companies are also taking advantage of 3D printing — the fully digital process is easy to certify and aircraft have very long lives that make sourcing spares challenging . The opportunities are endless , branching into food and drink , oil and gas and more .
Modern design software can simulate both the printing and the costing of each part , to ensure it can be done quickly and with confidence . Finite element analysis ( FEA ), generative design and testing is also built into some software , to help you produce an optimal geometry that performs well and provides longevity in its final environment .
For example , can you combine multiple components into one , simplifying procurement further ? Can you incorporate lattice or honeycomb structures to lightweight the part and reduce material use ? How can you color match the original part with a new material ?
Simulation tools mean you can test and prototype virtually before you go too far down the road , ensuring it is a viable option technically and commercially . Once you have built experience with some initial parts you can build the organizational muscle , before building a digital threat and scaling up into a virtual warehouse model .
To find out more about Nexa3D , its product range and how you can start your digital journey , visit https :// nexa3d . com , like us on Facebook , or follow us on Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn .
For further information , please visit nexa3d . com
162 PECM Issue 52