The future of 3D printing lies in the business opportunities that lie in adoption of the technology. One area businesses have seen immense value is 3D printing’s impact on the supply chain. With top 3D printing companies rapidly making the technology more accessible to a wide range of industries, more and more companies have embraced 3D printing’s streamlined supply chain.
The benefits of this optimized supply chain are increasingly evident. Transitioning to on-demand manufacturing leads to cost savings by eliminating or significantly reducing inventory requirements. The benefits of digital files also provide the ability to quickly produce new iterations at little to no additional cost. With a single source for a variety of parts, businesses that use 3D printing contract manufacturers deal with less risk, more control and added agility in relation to their product lifecycle. Local facilities can 3D print designs on-demand from files sent across the globe, or they can print securely from a nearby supplier.
The infographic below offers an illustrated look at the differences between a traditional supply chain and one that utilizes 3D printing.