Additive manufacturing use cases, by definition, are not defined by the technology itself, but rather the value they create within an organization. This value can come in the form of operational efficiencies, creation of new products and services, or even…
A couple of months ago I wrote an article about 3D printing and the supply chain, looking at how additive manufacturing can and will impact the end to end global supply chain. Specifically, I looked at how companies are beginning…
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been around in one shape or form for a while. The process essentially entails building a three-dimensional object from computer-aided design (CAD) to add material layer by layer until a final product is complete.…
Deutsche Bahn believes that additive manufacturing will result in high savings - in the multi-digit million range - in warehousing and spare parts procurement. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is of the upmost importance for Deutsche Bahn, especially in the management of spare parts for older trains. But an international conference on this subject also pointed to the challanges of using this still immature technology.
Additive manufacturing has certainly gotten a lot of press over the years. In the supply chain space, the idea that inventory costs could be slashed by committing to additive manufacturing has been touted. In manufacturing, a common idea is that additive manufacturing can create more sustainable products by not lathing away materials that are wasted. But reality is beginning to catch up with rhetoric. Siemens, as both a provider of design and manufacturing engineering software and as an industrial manufacturer, is in a unique position to help lead the industrial additive manufacturing revolution.
I woke up on Sunday morning, made some coffee, and then logged on to Amazon.com and conveniently made a purchase from my couch. This simple set of two common daily tasks got me thinking about additive manufacturing (3D printing) and…
