Until recently, SLS printers' high costs prevented its' use as a supply chain stopgap solution. Using 3D printing for part production requires both tough materials and other methods like selective laser sintering (SLS) print technology. When a supply chain is in turmoil, manufacturers can 3D print replacement parts within a few hours to days to prevent long-term delays, halted production, and manufacturing outsourcing. When a machine breaks down, it could be out of commission for only a few hours, to days or even weeks until a critical part is replaced.
Replacement Part ProductionģD printing can also bolster manufacturers against equipment breakdowns. Facilities printed tens of millions of swabs in more than 25 countries around the globe to continue the COVID-19 testing measures that were necessary for patients’ and workers’ safety. 3D printing shortened the supply chain with localized production to reduce the shortage. Medical facilities that had 3D printers on-site were able to print swabs within a few days, close to where they were needed.
Without access to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing became the go-to production method for mass-manufacturing these critical COVID-19 testing components. Rather than waiting for manufacturing parts and materials to arrive, manufacturers can use 3D printers as a back-up production method. For example, at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, a shortage of nasal swabs caused by the shut down of the two factories that produced these swabs was quickly solved with 3D printing. With 3D printing, these manufacturers can create customizable parts in-house, helping to reduce the number of nodes on their supply chain, shorten lead times, and deliver a product at a fraction of the cost.ģD printing can become the stopgap solution that enables manufacturers to adapt and adjust in the face of supply chain shortages via two main methods: alternative production and replacement part production. For example, highly customizable products, like hearing aids or dental aligners, require flexible production methods that are cost-effective and fast. With in-house industrial grade 3D printers, manufacturers can fortify their business against supply chain challenges and mitigate risk rather than replacing traditional manufacturing processes.Ĭhanging the tools needed for production also helps to de-risk the supply chain. Rather than keeping a stock of backup tools and parts on hand, 3D printing gives manufacturers an affordable and fast way to respond to supply chain shortages. 3D printers can become a manufacturer’s swiss army knife, an adaptable tool that can keep production lines running. Manufacturers must seek new solutions that enable greater flexibility and fewer risks than current production methods 3D printing is one solution. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, supply chain challenges render manufacturers unable to move production forward predictably or without incurring higher costs to attain materials on time. Manufacturers must choose between paying for a rushed order to receive replacement parts, purchasing materials at a premium, or suffering through excessive downtime. The pandemic ushered in a new level of turmoil, risks, and challenges, from the Suez Canal obstruction and labor shortages to lockdowns and material scarcities.īroken machinery can leave manufacturers waiting for a replacement part for days or even weeks. Disruption from machine failure and environmental and geopolitical factors create delays that cause a ripple effect through the supply chain and ultimately affect consumers.
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