Supply Plastic Components in Low Volume Batches and Sales Lost in the Maquila Industry

Abstract

3D printing is the process of creating a physical object layer-by-layer placement using a 3D model or digital drawing. This is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing, which is the way things have been done so far, subtracting layers of a piece of material until the desired shape is obtained. In contrast, 3D printing starts with 1.75mm thickness material designed for continuous application and then fabricates an object in a three-dimensional shape using a digital template. It is mainly limited to applications where it is necessary to manufacture finished products for customers that require custom specifications in different industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical. Unlike mass produced manufactured goods, 3D printed products can be easily customized. Manufacturing companies make purchases of plastic raw materials in high volume only because suppliers have limitations in their processes to generate low volume batches orders to customers when they need them due to manufacturing restrictions. The manufacturing industry in general will have to adjust its supply chain to accommodate new suppliers that have the flexibility to deliver low-volume orders with the new emerging technologies that are introduced along with the new materials that have been created for 3D printing technology of plastic components.