scholarly journals Evaluating the Readiness Level of Additively Manufactured Digital Spare Parts: An Industrial Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Kretzschmar ◽  
Sergei Chekurov ◽  
Mika Salmi ◽  
Jukka Tuomi
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Lead Times ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Readiness Level ◽  
End Use ◽  
Technological Limitations

Additive manufacturing of digital spare parts offers promising new possibilities for companies to drastically shorten lead times and to omit storage costs. However, the concept of digital spare parts has not yet gained much footing in the manufacturing industry. This study aims to identify grounds for its selective rejection. Conducted from a corporate perspective, outlining a holistic supply chain network structure to visualize different digital spare part distribution scenarios, this survey study evaluates technical and economic additive manufacturing capabilities. Results are analyzed and discussed further by applying the Mann-Whitney test to examine the influence of the company size and the presence of 3D-printed end-use components within supply networks on gathered data. Machines’ limited build chamber volumes and the necessity of post-processing are considered as the main technical challenges of current additive manufacturing processes. Furthermore, it can be concluded that company sizes have a significant effect on perceived technological limitations. Overall, the results lead to the conclusion that the readiness level of the digital spare parts concept demands for further development.

scholarly journals Performance tradeoffs for spare parts supply chains with additive manufacturing capability servicing intermittent demand

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle C. McDermott ◽  
Ryan D. Winz ◽  
Thom J. Hodgson ◽  
Michael G. Kay ◽  
Russell E. King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Network Configuration ◽  
Intermittent Demand ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demand Patterns

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the impact of additive manufacturing (AM) on the performance of a spare parts supply chain with a particular focus on underlying spare part demand patterns.Design/methodology/approachThis work evaluates various AM-enabled supply chain configurations through Monte Carlo simulation. Historical demand simulation and intermittent demand forecasting are used in conjunction with a mixed integer linear program to determine optimal network nodal inventory policies. By varying demand characteristics and AM capacity this work assesses how to best employ AM capability within the network.FindingsThis research assesses the preferred AM-enabled supply chain configuration for varying levels of intermittent demand patterns and AM production capacity. The research shows that variation in demand patterns alone directly affects the preferred network configuration. The relationship between the demand volume and relative AM production capacity affects the regions of superior network configuration performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis research makes several simplifying assumptions regarding AM technical capabilities. AM production time is assumed to be deterministic and does not consider build failure probability, build chamber capacity, part size, part complexity and post-processing requirements.Originality/valueThis research is the first study to link realistic spare part demand characterization to AM supply chain design using quantitative modeling.

scholarly journals Additive Manufacturing and Maritime Spare Parts: Benefits and Obstacles for the End-Users

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 895
Author(s):  
Evanthia Kostidi ◽  
Nikitas Nikitakos ◽  
Iosif Progoulakis
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Maritime Industry ◽  
End User ◽  
Space Reduction ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
Industrial Context

3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) (in the industrial context) is an innovative, as opposed to subtractive, technology, bringing new opportunities and benefits to the spare part supply chain (SPSC). The aim of this work is to capture the views of the stakeholders at the end of the chain, extruding factors that will benefit the end-user and the factors that are likely to be an obstacle, by employing the questionnaire method. Company objectives regarding spares (cost reductions, improvement of services, space reduction) have been prioritized differently by the stakeholders. The most important barriers according to the participants are the quality assurance of the spare parts made by the new technology followed by the know-how and skills of staff. Other views such as suitable parts are suggested. The practical value of this work, in addition to assessing the readiness of the industry, is that it provides guidance for the successful implementation of AM in the maritime industry.

Economic and Environmental Assessment of Spare Parts Production Using Additive Manufacturing

2019 ◽  
pp. 159-181
Author(s):  
Atanu Chaudhuri ◽  
Dennis Massarola
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Logistics System ◽  
Supply Chain Costs ◽  
System Dynamic Simulation

This chapter aims to investigate the potential economic and environmental sustainability outcomes of additive manufacturing (AM) for spare parts logistics. System dynamic simulation was conducted to analyze the sustainability of producing a spare part used in a railways subsystem using a particular additive manufacturing (AM) technology (i.e., selective laser sintering [SLS]) compared to producing it using injection molding. The results of the simulation showed that using SLS for the chosen part is superior to the conventional one in terms of total variable costs as well as for carbon footprint. Compared to the conventional supply chain, for the AM supply chain, the costs of the supplier reduces by 46%, that of the railways company reduces by 71%, while the overall supply chain costs reduce by 61.9%. The carbon emissions in the AM supply chain marginally reduces by 2.89% compared to the conventional supply chain.

scholarly journals The Effect of Nanostructures in Aluminum Alloys Processed Using Additive Manufacturing on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Performance Behavior

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Rachel Boillat ◽  
Sriram Praneeth Isanaka ◽  
Frank Liou
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Aluminum Alloys ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
High Strength ◽  
The Status ◽  
End Use ◽  
Am Processes ◽  
Performance Behavior

This paper reviews the status of nanoparticle technology as it relates to the additive manufacturing (AM) of aluminum-based alloys. A broad overview of common AM processes is given. Additive manufacturing is a promising field for the advancement of manufacturing due to its ability to yield near-net-shaped components that require minimal post-processing prior to end-use. AM also allows for the fabrication of prototypes as well as economical small batch production. Aluminum alloys processed via AM would be very beneficial to the manufacturing industry due to their high strength to weight ratio; however, many of the conventional alloy compositions have been shown to be incompatible with AM processing methods. As a result, many investigations have looked to methods to improve the processability of these alloys. This paper explores the use of nanostructures to enhance the processability of aluminum alloys. It is concluded that the addition of nanostructures is a promising route for modification of existing alloys and may be beneficial to other powder-based processes.

scholarly journals Selecting parts for additive manufacturing in service logistics

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 915-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Knofius ◽  
Matthieu C. van der Heijden ◽  
W.H.M. Zijm
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Service Supply Chains

Purpose For more than ten years, the value of additive manufacturing (AM) for after-sales service logistics has been propagated. Today, however, only few applications are observed in practice. The purpose of this paper is to discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy and to develop a method to simplify the identification of economically valuable and technologically feasible business cases. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on the analytic hierarchy process and relies on spare part information, that is easily retrievable from the company databases. This has two advantages: first, the approach can be customized toward specific company characteristics, and second, a very large number of spare parts may be assessed simultaneously. A field study is discussed in order to demonstrate and validate the approach in practice. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are performed to evaluate the robustness of the method. Findings Results provide evidence that the method allows a valid prioritization of a large spare part assortment. Also, sensitivity analyses clarify the robustness of the approach and illustrate the flexibility of applying the method in practice. More than 1,000 positive business cases of AM for after-sales service logistics have been identified based on the method. Originality/value The developed method enables companies to rank spare parts according to their potential value when produced with AM. As a result, companies can evaluate the most promising spare parts first. This increases the effectiveness and efficiency of identifying business cases and thus may support the adoption of AM in after-sales service supply chains.

Additive manufacturing in the mechanical engineering and medical industries spare parts supply chain

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 372-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Muir ◽  
Abubaker Haddud
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Computer Equipment ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to approximate the impact that additive manufacturing (AM) will have on firm inventory performance (IP) and customer satisfaction (CS) when it is applied within the spare parts (SP) supply chain of manufacturing organisations. This research also explores the influence of customer sensitivity (CSy) to price and delivery lead time and supply risk (SR) within those approximations. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was used to collect the primary data for this research. Data were collected from 69 respondents working for organisations in two industrial segments within the UK manufacturing sector: “Industrial and Commercial Machinery and Computer Equipment” and “Measuring, Analysing and Controlling Instruments, Photographic, Medical and Optical Instruments”. The respondents worked for entities that were categorised in three groups: customers, suppliers, and entities that were both customers and suppliers. The groups that were self-identified as “customers” or “suppliers” answered 20 survey items each and the group that was identified as both “customers” and “suppliers” answered 40 survey items. Findings The results revealed that AM was considered a suitable vehicle for the fulfilment of SP demand. However, AM appeared to make no material difference to CS; the scenario used improved delivery time of SP but increased price. Also, AM was thought to improve IP through less reliance on buffer stock to manage SR and spikes in demand and less carrying of SP at risk of obsolescence. Research limitations/implications The respondents worked for entities within two manufacturing industry segments within the UK and the insights garnered may not be indicative of similar organisations competing in other manufacturing industry segments within the UK or in other countries. In addition, approximately 82 per cent of the surveyed respondents worked for small organisations with fewer than 100 employees and the results may differ for larger organisations. Further limitations were the relatively small sample size and lack of open-ended questions used in the survey. Larger sample size and the usage of open-ended survey questions may lead to more reliable and valuable responses and feedback. Practical implications The findings from this research are considered to be of interest to practitioners contemplating adoption of AM and to developers of AM wishing to increase market share due to the positive reaction of entities within the industrial and commercial machinery and computer equipment, and measuring, analysing and controlling instrumentation industrial segments. This research raises awareness to the possible risks and rewards – from a range of perspectives, of AM to practitioners considering its adoption in the spare parts supply chain (SPSC). Originality/value The paper takes a novel perspective on AM in SPSCs by illuminating the supplier and buyer perspective based on empirical data. This research provides new insights about the appreciation of the use of AM in SPSCs of mostly small sized manufacturing companies located in the UK. This paper also gives new insights about the willingness/conditions of manufacturing companies in the UK to adopt AM for the provision of SP. The originality of this research is twofold: it broached the applicability of AM in the supply chains of the two targeted industrial segments, and as far as the authors are aware, the influence of CSy (e.g. to price or lead time) and SR on SPSC players’ attitude to AM is yet to be considered. Finally, this research adopted a systems theory lens and considered system-wide impact of AM introduction.

scholarly journals Printing spare parts through additive manufacturing: legal and digital business challenges

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 958-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Maria Ballardini ◽  
Iñigo Flores Ituarte ◽  
Eujin Pei
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Patent Protection ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the technology, business and intellectual property issues surrounding the production of spare parts through additive manufacturing (AM) from a digital source. It aims to identify challenges to the growth of the AM spares market and propose suitable solutions. Design/methodology/approach The paper begins with a systematic literature review and theoretical analysis. This is followed by case study research through semi-structured interviews, forming the basis of a triangulated, cross-case analysis of empirical data. Findings The paper identifies several obstacles to the development of the AM-produced digital spares market. The manufacturing industry will soon be forced to re-think AM as a real manufacturing alternative. Short-term, AM technology has implications for the production of components for legacy systems for which tooling facilities no longer exist. Long-term, AM will be used to produce a wide range of components especially when product and/or service functionality can be increased. To enable companies to navigate current uncertainties in the patent framework (especially the “repair vs make” doctrine), new intellectual property rights strategies could be developed around patenting both complex devices and their individual components, and seeking patent protection for CAD files. Further harmonization of the EU legal framework, the interpretation of claims and the scope of protection offered in the context of spare parts, will also be important. Originality/value This study pinpoints key issues that need to be addressed within the European AM business environment and the patent system and proposes recommendations for business and legal frameworks to promote the growth of a stable European digital spare parts market.

scholarly journals Data Mining and Statistical Analysis for Available Budget Allocation Pre-procurement of Manufacturing Equipment

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
O. O. Ojo ◽  
B. O. Akinnuli ◽  
P. K. Farayibi
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Decision Maker ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Spare Part ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Hidden Data ◽  
The Cost

In a situation where a decision maker faces problems of allotting the available budget on the strategic decisions in a manufacturing industry, data information plays an important role to maintain long run profit in the industry. Statistical analysis was incorporated to determine the correlational strength between the number of years and each of the strategic decisions, their confidence level, and the predicted values. This study identified the strategic areas of addressing the issues which are machine (), accessory (), spare part () and miscellaneous (), exploring the hidden data of the selected strategic decisions from International Brewery Plc, Ilesha and statistical analysis between the number of years and each of the selected strategic decisions. The model used in this work is simple linear regression while Statistical Analysis Software “SAS” was used for its applications. After exploring the hidden data from a case study, the suggested cost of procurement for machines, accessories, spare-parts and miscellaneous are: ₦119,975,000.00; ₦127,968,000.00; ₦134,965,000.00 and ₦33,491,500.00 respectively. From appendix, the probability of each of the strategic decision is less than 0.05 which implies that the Null-Hypothesis is rejected. The number of years has significant effect on Machines, Accessories, Spare-parts and Miscellaneous. As the number of years increases, the cost of procurement of the strategic decisions increases due to high rate of demand and consumption of their products. However, the cost of procurement may fall depending on the level of demand and maintenance culture. Besides, management of the company may ask decision maker to maintain the cost before procurement. This result may be used for further research on optimization of the available budget for equipment procurement.

Quality Assurance Framework to Enable Additive Manufacturing Based Digital Warehousing for Oil and Gas Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sastry Yagnanna Kandukuri ◽  
Ole-Bjørn Ellingsen Moe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Lead Times ◽  
On Demand

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) makes it possible to produce parts on demand, close to operations, with significantly reduced lead times compared to conventional manufacturing. However, without standardization or guidelines, additively manufactured parts could raise the risk of unexpected or premature failures due to inherent variation of mechanical and metallurgical properties associated with this new technology. This is especially true when the reduced lead time is the desired advantage, where speed may be prioritized over quality. A standardised framework is proposed to free up value locked in physical warehouse inventory and reduce inventory management cost through digital warehousing in a safe and cost-efficient way. Through a joint industry project, with participating companies throughout the entire AM value chain, we propose an assurance framework that answers questions such as: can the digital drawing be available when needed? Can the parts be made ‘first time’ right when needed? Can it be made with the same quality at another location next time? Which party is responsible for the different stages? What requirements should be in place for the companies who wish to manufacture on demand? The digital warehouse assurance framework discussed in this work demonstrates that digital warehousing powered by AM could potentially shorten lead times for sourcing parts and reduce the need for costly storage, maintenance and coordination of spare parts that are rarely used. We also discuss the different variants of digital warehousing we may see, and the roles and responsibilities various digital warehouse stakeholders have for facilitating unambiguous communication. AM is already disrupting supply chains in many other industries, but it is in its infancy in the oil & gas, offshore and maritime sectors as they ponder challenges with intellectual property (IP) and usage rights for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) designs, standardization of technology interfaces and the lack of knowledge and trust of the technology. The digital warehouse quality assurance framework proposed and discussed in this work is unique and has potential to not only accelerate adoption of AM in oil & gas and offshore sectors, but also contribute to a significant reduction of emissions, including greenhouse gases.

The impact of additive manufacturing on supply chains

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 954-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian F. Durach ◽  
Stefan Kurpjuweit ◽  
Stephan M. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Supply Chain Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Am Processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer empirical insights on emerging additive manufacturing (AM) processes, barriers to their adoption and a timeline of expected impacts on the supply chain in the manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach A multi-stage survey study was conducted with a panel of 16 experts from industry and academia. Findings Only five out of today’s seven AM processes are of future importance, as are two emerging key processes. In total, 15 barriers to their adoption are identified, all of which are expected to be gone within ten years. Eight propositions are derived postulating as to whether and when supply chain impacts can be expected in terms of changes to supply chain structure, customer centricity, logistics and supply chain capability. Research limitations/implications “Soft” barriers are new to the literature, which has traditionally focused on “technical” barriers. Often-discussed barriers such as production speed and costs do not reflect the true concerns of the research panel. Furthermore, some of the supply chain implications discussed in both the academic literature and the media are found to be unlikely to materialize. Practical implications The study summarizes AM processes, technologies, barriers and supply chain implications solicited from experts in the field. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to make empirical contributions to a vastly conceptual discussion. It is also the first study to give insights on a timeline for barriers and supply chain implications.

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