Regionally and globally, the current supply chains are under enormous tension. There is a shortage of raw materials across all industries, such as steel, wood, or plastic, but also electronic components. Primary products and materials for a wide range of manufacturing processes and products are also becoming scarcer. This affects not only manufacturers but also trade and the service sector.
The difficulties in the supply chains are placing enormous strain on the economy and hampering the usual production and delivery processes. The extent of all the difficulties appeared to be tangible off the coast of China in the port of Shanghai. For days, hundreds of container ships were fully loaded with their cargo and waiting for their goods to be delivered. This is due to China’s lockdown and its zero-Covid strategy. And that’s not all. Political tensions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further complicate the overall situation and are driving the prices of goods ever higher. Last but not least, ongoing inflation is increasing the challenges for companies. This means that the current global economy finds itself in a state of tension between price increases and shaken supply and production chains.
Industrial 3D printing is certainly not the Swiss Army Knives and the solution to all problems, but it is a lever that is worth using, at least not to sink completely into the swamp of difficulties
Manufacturers, retailers, and consumers— everyone is looking for solutions to fill the gaps in production, guarantee delivery capacity, and be able to purchase the desired products economically. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear when this situation will ease again, and alternative solutions are urgently needed. This is where a particularly exciting technology of the future comes into play. Industrial 3D printing is certainly not the Swiss Army Knives and the solution to all problems, but it is a lever that is worth using, at least not to sink completely into the swamp of difficulties. The consulting unit “Additive Manufacturing Solutions” (AMS) of Daimler Truck AG, headed by Ralf Anderhofstadt, is working on tailor-made solutions for individual difficulties. Daimler is not the only company to be served, customers from other industries also benefit from the service offering. The know-how has been built up over many years in-house, which has given us some best-practice examples, including for the current tension situation on the market. A bracket in the seating area of a coach that is backed up by regular customer requirements must be reproduced. Due to the current shortage of raw materials and the associated production and delivery problems, the urgently needed injection moulding tool cannot be produced and delivered as quickly as it is actually needed. The solution is as simple as it is brilliant. In order to meet demand at short notice, the required component is quickly produced with the help of additive manufacturing, which not only prevents production downtimes, but also enables customers to continue to be served in the usual quality. At this point, the cost aspect is initially less important because the component is not only produced with a new process due to its economic sense but, above all, in order to continue to guarantee delivery capability. This is the number one priority. The real gain is therefore not found in the monetary evaluation, but rather in constant customer satisfaction and the avoidance of production downtimes. This solution can also bridge the current gap between the required input and the desired output for several months until supply chains have relaxed and prices have stabilized at an acceptable level.
Industrial 3D printing is an ingenious enabler of new solutions for acute problem situations and is precisely suited for such situations. The AMS team works with this philosophy. “We solve problems before they arise” is the motto under which the entire service portfolio is underpinned and is constantly being expanded. It is therefore not only a promise for problem solving but also, above all, for avoiding it. Many years of experience, technical expertise, and an individual view of the needs of the market make the entire concept as unique as the fingerprint of any company. If you are also struggling with acute problems or want to take the path toward additive transformation, AMS is the right place for you.
