Is 3D printing the answer to supply chain resiliency in uncertain times?

Over the summer, Denmark's recent purchase of eight Israeli rocket launchers is being questioned by retired Danish top officers and an English minister as a potential weak link in NATO's defense chains: https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/britisk-minister-problematiserer-dansk-storindkoeb-af-omstridt-israelsk-vaabensystem

The issue of resilience in supply chains is currently of great importance - not just because of the Israeli rocket launchers, but also due to recent wars, the pandemic, lockdowns, and climate change - all of which have demonstrated the importance of resilience in corporate supply chains.

The potential for local production offered by 3D printing has a significant role to play in addressing the issues that arise from these uncertain times - and we can only expect to see more of it in the future.

In the US, President Joe Biden has launched AM Forward, a 3D printing program aimed at strengthening supply chains through 3D printing. This initiative is discussed in more detail here: Biden Admin Launches U.S. 3D Printing Program - AM Forward

In Denmark, the Danish Technological Institute has helped the company Welltec establish its own metal 3D printing production. This allows them to print spare parts for oil rigs and eventually move towards printing directly on the rigs to save time and eliminate the need for physical spare parts. More information can be found here: Welltec acquires metal 3D printer with help and advice from the Danish Technological Institute

Local production offers benefits, not only in terms of resilience, but also in terms of sustainability and, eventually, economics in various industries.

With the help of local production through 3D printing, inventory can be reduced - with digital files stored instead of physical parts. This has a significant impact on the economy.

Many shoe manufacturers are moving away from producing a million shoes of the same model and shipping them to various locations worldwide. Instead, they are printing individually customized shoes on-site, without over-consumption, transportation costs, or intermediaries. One example of this concept is from ECCO: Quant-U .

This shift in production methods and the replacement of mass production and physical spare part inventories with virtual inventories of digital spare parts, printed on-site and delivered directly to the consumer when needed, changes the way companies build their business models.

But is it just wishful thinking to believe that local production through 3D printing is gaining traction?

The technology and the market are still maturing. There are still few suppliers, and the range of 3D printers and materials is relatively limited, although it is constantly expanding.

So, when suppliers and subcontractors are relatively limited, especially in metal 3D printing, what happens if one of them goes bankrupt?

For companies like Welltec, there are risks associated with certifications on an oil rig, where the same level of safety cannot initially be achieved through 3D printing of spare parts because the necessary certifications are not yet in place.

What do you think out there? Is local production through 3D printing something you see as a realistic scenario - and a business model that you see value in adopting for your companies?