Fascinating to Frightening prospect of the Automotive Industry adopting 3D Printing

3D printing is set to disrupt the automotive manufacturing and supply chain operations, with the technology speeding up innovation and rendering the supply chain redundant. 

During a conference recently, I hosted a discussion on the impact of the introduction of 3D printing to produce automotive parts and components which is both fascinating and frightening in equal measure – this period of change represents a fascinating and frightening period of change for the automotive industry.

Should supply chain or packaging view this an opportunity or a threat?

Currently OEM’s are using 3D printing to manufacture component parts. How far ahead is this scenario a lineside activity?

There is a possibility that OEMs aim is to bring Tier suppliers into the plants using 3D printers to produce parts that can be fitted straight onto the vehicles. 

Bringing suppliers closer to the assembly line removes the need for the intricate logistics and supply chain operations that we know today. 

The Spare Parts market will be the first feel the impact of this change as spares will be printed when needed unlike today when tier suppliers need to hold large quantities of parts for current and previous models for long periods of time. 

This is a change that we are seeing now – 3D printing of parts is not just an idea in the far distant future. It is here and it has started. 

What are the impacts of FF Syndrome?

As parts and components will be made using 3D printers located at lineside there will be no need for any expendable or returnable packaging to protect and transport goods. 

This also makes sequencing redundant as items can be printed to meet specifications as the vehicles move through the plant. 

In turn, this reduces the manpower required to produce and handle parts throughout the supply chain. Tier suppliers will no longer require the headcount to produce components, there will be no need for the handling of parts between tier suppliers and OEM’s as manufacturing will be done on site. 

The environmental impact of the global automotive supply chain has always been a hot topic – 3D printing significantly reduces transportation to virtually nil. 

The only items that will need to be transported into the OEM’s will be replacement 3D printers and materials used to produce the parts. 

All of this leads to making storage and packaging redundant too – we will no longer have to store plastic returnable boxes as they won’t be needed and neither will be the warehouse space. 

Every corner of the supply chain and logistics market will feel the FF Factor.

What is the logistics and supply chain market saying?

Although this is a change that is beginning to take shape and it is a matter of when not if this change takes place – there are a number of challenges that have to be addressed. 

The technology is here now – the task now is to ensure the quantities and quality meet industry standards. 

Colleagues in the supply chain industry argue that it will be many years before 3D printing will be able to meet the quantities that OEM’s need. Therefore, there will still be a requirement for the global supply chain to continue and innovate whilst this change takes place. 

Others are being a little more blunt – 

“Face the problem now or get out of the market – change is on its way”

Is it sensible to begin to explore other areas now rather than sit it out and hope everything is ok and change doesn’t happen? 

Our industry prides itself on innovation and forward thinking so preparing for the future is something that we know only too well. It just maybe a time to turn our attention towards innovating outside of the automotive industry. 

Key questions to consider

• How long are we going to have to wait for this?
• We have the technology but does it have the capacity – are 3D printers going to be able to manufacture the quantities needed?
• What does this mean for packaging?
• Can 3PL’s diversify into other industries?