3D printing was a bottom up procedure by which materials were laid down in thin successive layers that are thin until an item was completely constructed. As an invention in technique, 3D printing made production conducted at or close to the points of purchase or consumption potential. This had a tremendous impact on supply chain management and conventional manufacturing business. A variety of 3D-printing devices -printing patents expired in 2014, provoking adoption and mass production of key 3D. 3D printing was likely to provide a solution to supply chain management challenges by printing low volume and tailor-made products on-site; a solution that would reduce materials -supply risks, supply chain network complexity and inventory costs. Imitative invention, well-recognized manufacturing infrastructure and relatively low labor and material prices made rapid growth of 3D-printer making in China possible. Recently, China quickly adopted the 3D-printing trend and researched the new, greatly enlarged 3D- printing manufacturing and export market space. What role could 3D printing play in altering supply-chain management? What could the short term and long-term impact of 3D printing on the Chinese manufacturing business be? Could China leverage the approaching 3D-printing trend to strengthen the power of its manufacturing industry?
This is just an excerpt. This case is about TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS
PUBLICATION DATE: July 27, 2015 PRODUCT #: HK1059-PDF-ENG
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