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Five Industries 3D Printing is Driving Forward

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Global Trade Daily

Five Industries 3D Printing is Driving Forward

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The possibilities for 3D printing are immense and cut across various industries. However, certain sectors have been quicker to embrace its potential. Let’s delve into five industries that are actively experimenting with 3D printing technology and stand at the precipice of transformation. They’re not just dipping their toes in the water, but driving the innovation in this space. The future looks promising, and these sectors are leading the way in making 3D printing an integral part of their operations.

1. Food

Let’s talk about 3D printed food. Pizzas, chocolates, and candies coming out of printers sound like sci-fi, right? Well, it’s happening now. With the tech evolving to print meat substitutes and even lab-grown meat, we’re staring down a future where intensive animal farming becomes a thing of the past. Printed food could also be embedded with custom nutrient profiles to benefit medical patients or the elderly.

2. Fashion

Don’t be surprised if your next pair of Adidas kicks have 3D printed midsoles. And it’s not just Adidas, Paris Fashion Week 2023 featured 3D printed shoes from Dior, Reebok, and Namesake. Fashion mavens like Julia Koerner, Anouk Wipprecht, and Bastian Müller are also exploring 3D printed textiles. The perks? Think custom designs, local production, and less material waste.

3. Motorsports

F1, NASCAR, and MotoGP are shifting gears to leverage 3D printing for speedier production cycles and low-volume capacity. Picture more lightweight and aerodynamic cars, thanks to printed prototypes and components. Stratasys has teamed up with F1’s McLaren, while Ducati rode out the 2022 MotoGP season with Roboze’s composite 3D printing support.

4. Healthcare

We’re seeing 3D printing move into point-of-care settings, opening doors for bespoke medical solutions, increased efficiency, and better patient outcomes. Not to mention bioprinting – the practice of creating human cells in a hydrogel, which could revolutionize regenerative medicine and drug development testing. Big pharma is already taking notice, hoping to benefit from accelerated drug testing.

5. Aerospace

3D printing is linked to the aerospace industry in many ways. It is used in space to produce spare parts, in the production of satellites, to explore the possibility of printing lunar and Martian habitats. In fact, it’s giving a serious boost to startups like Relativity, speeding up rocket production with optimized design and the consolidation of parts. The company recently launched Terran 1, its very first rocket built entirely through 3D printing.

Thieves with 3D printers can compromise shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
Archives, Education, Global Trade Daily, Technology

Prevailing Trends in the 3D Printing Industry

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3D printing can revolutionize the manufacturing process. Flexibility, design freedom, time-to-market, mass customization, distributed production, and other advantages have strategic consequences. 3D printing is a significant time- and cost-saving option for design and manufacturing, with new, better-performing machines, more materials available, and a greater capacity to create 3D printed products that are close to their mechanical properties.

Global 3D printing Market size was valued at around USD $14 billion in 2021 and the industry is projected to grow about USD 21.85 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21% between 2021 and 2030. 

Key Trends that will impact the 3D printing industry

  • The new era of Faster, Bigger, and cheaper 3D printing

Rapid advancements in 3D printing technology have prompted the development of more powerful, affordable printers. Simultaneously, increased demand for specialized materials that can meet the required qualities of end parts will drive the creation of innovative materials.

The capacity to handle a wider range of advanced materials is a significant feature of new-generation printers, particularly industrial-grade versions. This makes it possible for more companies to gain from 3D printing.

Although equipment prices remain high, faster printing speeds are driving down the cost of parts. Additionally, the adaptability of 3D printing is expanding due to features like dual-extrusion printheads. 

  • Additive Manufacturing Role in supply chain

Manufacturers must have access to various printers and materials and establish relationships with other professionals in the field to fully benefit from additive manufacturing.

Furthermore, interoperability among different systems has become critical to realizing the full potential of 3D printing. In 2022 and beyond, automated manufacturing, post processing, and integrated usability will become more crucial.

AM can establish a new method for managing supply chains. 3D printing would be part of a comprehensive and secure platform in which various steps—from product design to materials to digital inventory to production and delivery—would be merged into a seamless process. The creation and utilization of these platforms will contribute to the shift to digital production and the implementation of Industry 4.0.

  • Development of Manufacturing Ecosystem

Partnerships can generate mutual benefits and synergies, resulting in a better product for end users. This has shown to be a key facilitator of industrial production scale in 3D printing. However, we see a need for a more comprehensive collaboration in 2022. Standards must be developed collaboratively, printer and postprocessing systems must be compatible, and production data collected may lead to improved printers and materials.

To achieve the best results for all parties concerned, close collaboration is necessary. The next phase in AM improvement is the creation of a global ecosystem that connects service providers, material manufacturers, and print farms. 

  • Security concerns and quality assurance

Additive manufacturing is continuing to alter manufacturing as more organizations use the technology for part production. Companies need reassurance that their 3D-printed products meet specific quality requirements for industrial manufacturing. 

Additionally, data ownership will be very important. It’s important to keep the intellectual property in the right hands. Data management will be essential as the industry transitions into the digital age. Organizations must also enforce manufacturing parameters by encrypting the data to ensure that the required quantity and material are used to make the parts. Manufacturing data collection and analysis allows for speedy error detection, process improvement, and compliance with all quality standards.

  • The need to create a strong supply chain

3D printing has already been employed to solve these challenges, and its use is expected to rise. The technology offers shorter, stronger, and more robust supply chains by decentralizing supply networks and producing on-demand close to the consumer location.

The supply chain’s weak link is physical inventory; therefore, the ability to store items digitally rather than physically in a warehouse minimizes the need for storage and transportation. Once an item is ordered, it can be immediately dispatched to the best fitting, most appropriate production partner based on location, capabilities, and capacity using a digital warehouse. Parts can be manufactured anywhere by lowering CO2 emissions in logistics and boosting supply chain resilience

  • Implementation of sustainable 3D printing 

Sustainable production and supply chains are becoming more and more essential due to end-user demands, governmental requirements, and even moral obligations. This is also prevalent in 3D printing, which has the potential to reduce waste during production. Engineers can dramatically reduce the end part’s weight by designing it for 3D printing, minimizing the material required for production. 

Carbon dioxide emissions during transportation are minimized by placing production closer to the next step in the supply chain. Furthermore, there will be an increase in the use of sustainable 3D printing materials such as recycled, reusable, and biodegradable plastics.

Grow a Print Reseller Network for your Wholesales Print Business
Archives, Software, Technology

Grow a Print Reseller Network for your Wholesales Print Business

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Don’t have the start-up capital to set up a print shop? Don’t worry. You don’t need to create products to sell them to your customers. You can grow a print reseller network for your wholesale print-on-demand business.

 

While other companies were struggling to gain growth during the pandemic, the print-on-demand industry was growing leap and bounds. Another factor contributing to this growth is the shift from retail business to an online one. People’s buying behavior changed a lot, and eCommerce businesses were forced to adapt to this behavior. Even in the post-pandemic world, now the online shopping trend will stay. 

 

From 2017 to 2020, the print-on-demand industry took a 12% leap. In 2021, it still saw a growth spike, and in 2022, it remained above the pre-pandemic level. 

 

Hence, it’s an opportunity for you to grow your print wholesale business. You can find the gaps in your strategies that were not evident pre-pandemic and try your best to eliminate them. This blog will explain how you can set up your reseller network, what you can do for your resellers, and what they will expect from you.

What is a reseller network?

A print reseller doesn’t directly print the products they sell. They work with a wholesaler who will take wholesale orders for printing products such as banners and posters.

 

A print reseller network is a channel that acts as an intermediary between the wholesaler and the end consumers, which might be businesses or customers. A reseller network can help you increase your outreach to new consumers. You will be able to access an experienced sales team and grow your brand recognition. At the same time, the reseller will get the commission from selling your products. So, it’s a win-win situation for both of you.

How to manage the reseller network?

The managed print market is forecasted to increase from $28.40 billion to $50.78 billion by 2023, at an 8.5% CAGR between 2017 and 2023. 

 

Thus as a print-on-demand wholesaler, you should be selective about whom you choose to represent your product. Only by finding ones that align with your brand the most can increase your sales, as not all can be good representatives. Below we have explained the criteria to manage your reseller network:

1. Set the right expectations

You must set proper expectations, including quota, total sales, revenue, and deals closed with your resellers. You should come clear with your resellers on all points, like how much percentage they’ll get on selling your products? Will you be giving them any bonuses or incentives?

 

Setting up a reseller network takes time and resources, so don’t waste them on unworthy ones. The ones who won’t be suitable for your business will automatically back out. So you’ll be left with those who will represent your brand positively. 

 

Also, establish with your resellers that you expect consistent results as you don’t want your sales to decrease over time. Some resellers might give you a good performance early on, but later, they might not perform well. 

 

Set some ground rules on what your resellers can do and not do with your product, as you don’t want a negative representation of your brand. If you set the right expectations, your relationship with your resellers will sail smoothly in the future.

2. Set roles and responsibilities

Every reseller will have its own reselling model. So, you just need to set responsibilities and give control over products to resellers about who will be responsible for reselling what.

 

Here are some things that you can expect from your resellers:

 

  • Help you expand your business through marketing and sales activities.
  • How to effectively manage your reseller network (Print Reseller Web-to-Print Storefront Module).
  • Must be customer-focused and deliver actual value to your customers.
  • Must be knowledgeable and keep themselves up-to-date with industry trends.

 

Here are some things your resellers can expect from you:

 

  1. Providing quality support and training.
  2. Providing ready-to-print templates.
  3. Branded web-to-print storefronts for resellers.
  4. Growing with Wholesale.

3. Knowing customer data and KPI

Knowing about their past and current customers’ data and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a must if you want to choose the best-qualified resellers for you.

 

You must know how many brands the resellers have interacted with in the past and did any one of them is your competitor? How much sales do the resellers bring per month, and how many brands are they currently working with?

 

Analyzing this data, you’ll be able to determine how much sales the resellers can bring you on an average basis.

4. Vertical market focus

A vertical market is focused on a specific niche means it targets particular consumers eliminating competition often seen with conventional marketing. In addition, vertical focus produces higher efficiency and reduces production costs as the company doesn’t have to pursue its individual goals.

 

Hence, if you are running a wholesaler print-on-demand business, it will be incredibly beneficial to build a reseller network focused on a vertical niche. It will have all the clients in the same vertical niche, which means more sales for you. 

 

If a reseller network is serving clients from various verticals, it won’t be able to focus on one niche. Moreover, your products might not match the reseller’s clients’ expectations, so it will reduce your chances of increased sales.

Final Thoughts

If you are running a wholesaler print-on-demand business and feel that your sales are stagnating, then growing a print reseller network will increase your revenue. You’ll get endless possibilities with a reseller network, such as increasing your brand recognition and reducing competition. While you’ll enjoy increased sales, your resellers will earn a commission from each sale. So, it will be a win-win situation for you. 

 

Resellers can expand your customer base and scale your business so you won’t have to purchase expensive tools and build a system from scratch. With ready-made reseller management tools such as Design’N’Buy, you won’t be required to break your bank to manage the network. So, get started on reseller network management now.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Software, Technology

3D Printing Trend Report 2022

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Rapid growth predicted for 3D printing industry, with the market set to triple by 2026 Amsterdam, 3 May 2022 – Hubs, the global leader in distributed manufacturing, has released their annual 3D Printing Trend Report that shows the 3D printing market is experiencing healthy growth after the initial decline due to COVID-19. According to the report, the market grew by roughly 19.8% in 2021, with over $15.1 billion in revenue. An analysis of research by 12 leading market-analyst firms shows predicted market growth of 24% to around $44.5 billion by 2026.

The report suggests that industry developments over the next several years will position 3D printing to surpass its role as a rapid and functional prototyping technology, shifting instead toward viable end-use parts and serial production applications. In general, more engineers are using 3D printing than in previous years—68% of respondents to an industry survey used 3D printing more in 2021 than in 2020—and the hardware market is expected to hit a market size of nearly $10 billion within the decade.

The 3D Printing Trend Report 2022 includes insights from a survey of several hundred engineering businesses, conducted in February 2022, and systemic reviews of industry news and market analysis reports.

Our forecasts show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% over the next five years, which is in line with our 2020 report—and well above the 2021 report that predicted a CAGR of 19%—indicating market recovery and increased confidence in industry growth.

You can download the 3D Printing Trend Report 2022 here.Key findings include:

● The overall 3D printing market will grow by 24% to reach $44.5 billion by 2026.
● 49% of survey respondents printed 10+ parts in their production runs, compared to 36% in 2021.
● 3D printing use is steadily moving towards more industrial production applications.
● 68% of respondents used 3D printing more in 2021 than in 2020.
● Many of our sources believe the driving force in 3D printing this year will be new materials and composites.
● Companies that adopted Industry 4.0 prior to the pandemic seemed to fare better throughout COVID-19, which has pushed more companies to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, including 3D printing.
● As a decentralized, digital manufacturing technology, 3D printing may become a viable way to support climate action initiatives, especially given the development of newer, more sustainable metal and polymer materials.

Overall, the 3D printing market has developed and matured significantly. In 2021, there were several notable mergers and acquisitions between leaders within the industry. Stratasys acquired Origin, Sandvik’s BEAMIT acquired 3T Additive and Hubs joined forces with Protolabs to become the world’s most comprehensive digital manufacturing platform.

This indicates that the market is maturing and consolidating, and is now well-positioned for fast growth.

About Hubs

Hubs, formerly 3D Hubs, is an online manufacturing platform that provides engineers with on-demand access to a global network of manufacturing services. Users can easily upload their design, instantly receive a quote, and start production at the click of a button. Founded in Amsterdam in 2013, Hubs was acquired by Protolabs in January 2021. To date, Hubs has produced more than 7 million parts, using various manufacturing technologies, including CNC machining, 3D printing and sheet metal fabrication.

Supply Chain Industry
3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Factors that are Reshaping the Supply Chain Industry

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In the modern supply chain, the technology and software you use are as important as your strategies. Plenty of decisions and actions you need to take now happen in the digital world. So, you must pick the right technology if you want to see better efficiency in your chain. In essence, choosing the solution you want to use can make or break your position on the global stage. Hence, technology is and will stay one of the main things that define the game. But, what are the exact factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out.

Last year, COVID-19 took the supply chain to a new place, but not all in a bad way. The changes that took place opened new opportunities and created new practices for companies. We found ways to improve agility and eliminate risks, and things are only getting better.

To figure out how to make them better for your system, take a look at the key things that are transforming the industry at the moment.

Artificial intelligence

Algorithm-based decision-making software and data analyzers are being adopted in every niche, so it’s clear that the era of useful AI has arrived.

When it comes to the supply chains, among other things, AI can help you eliminate human error and reduce costs. It’ll allow you to restructure workflows, so all your workers can be more focused and productive. The technology will support them and make their jobs easier. We’ll explain how this happens a bit later.

The pace of technological change

Technology is developing faster than we can learn to use it. Let’s take eCommerce as an example. It provided people with a whole new way of shopping and took the world by storm. All of a sudden, you’re able to find anything you need and have it delivered to your door without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. Thanks to it, customer demands and expectations have changed. Now, they expect quick and even same-day deliveries. So, the logistics industry has to respond to that to stay in favor of people.

As a company, the only way to stay relevant is to build a reliable infrastructure and learn how to use new technology developments. Experts believe that online and mobile shopping will be the preferred way of buying for the majority of people in the future. Even today, people are getting everything from groceries to appliances online, so why would that change in the years to come?

To update your system, try to make your processes more streamlined. That will give you a better chance of keeping up with modern timeframes.

The Internet of things

We can’t talk about the factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry and not mention the Internet of things. Although most people will associate the term with smart home appliances, this technology is actually invented to deal with sensors and tracking equipment.

So, the IoT is what you’ll use if you want to reduce commercial warehousing costs. However, it can help you do much more than just that. With it, you can connect all the products, people, and processes within your organization and share information among them in real-time. Just like that, everything becomes streamlined, and your productivity goes up.

Automation and robotics

Of course, people have been using task-specific robots for decades in industries such as automotive. However, the latest generation of robots can learn how to do multiple tasks, so they have much more potential.

In supply chains, you can find a use case for these almost anywhere. Add AI into the mix, and you quickly realize that robots can bring many new things to manufacturing processes and reduce staff costs. With time, more and more repetitive or dangerous tasks will be performed by these.

Big Data

Big Data is used to track data and measure the performance of factories in real-time. In past times, to survey workers, you had to put an entire factory under surveillance. But today, modern sensors and networks give us insights that we couldn’t get before. You can even collect data on each and every employee if you want to. This way, you’ll spot problems much more easily and fix them sooner.

When you remove the bottlenecks in the delivery process, you’ll also improve the lives of your workers. You’ll streamline their roles, and they won’t waste time on unnecessary or frustrating tasks. If you rely on Big Data-driven decision-making, you’ll create a leaner business model and reduce wastage.

3D printing

If we’re talking about prototyping new products and designs, there isn’t a tool as useful as 3D printing. Companies that invested in it say that they managed to halve their prototype production times, and that’s a huge thing. If you have to wait for weeks until you get parts to start working, that creates problems right down the supply chain. It lengthens the process and increases the costs. On the other hand, 3D printing alleviates supply chain weaknesses that already exist.

Use it, and you can apply design iterations to the molds within hours. So, you’ll be speeding up the process and encouraging the closer engagement of product designers and the manufacturing team. And for that, 3D printing is one of the factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry.

Factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry – delivered

Incredible advancements in technology are at the root of all factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry. If you fail to incorporate them, you will fall behind. Therefore, follow the latest trends and introduce the changes that will streamline your processes, make your business functioning more efficiently and productive.

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Deon Williams is a freelance writer with a degree in systems engineering. Although it’s not his main job, he loves to write articles and share his expertise. In the past, Deon helped companies like zippyshelldmv.com to streamline their processes and increase their earnings. When he’s not working, he loves to read in his comfy chair and play basketball with his two sons. 

3D printing
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Metal 3D Printing Alleviating Supply Chain Weaknesses Exposed by Pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the global supply chain, and 3D printing is helping to fix the problem – transforming manufacturing in the process.

Supply chain disruptions were up 67 percent year-over-year in 2020, with those caused by the pandemic accounting for the most damage, according to an annual report from supply chain risk monitor Resilinc. A year and a half into this unprecedented period and we’re reaching an inflection point that’s reverberating across the world in the form of supply shortages and delays for key components. Companies’ earnings are being hit by supply chain delays.

So many businesses have found themselves uncomfortably exposed to supply chain risks outside of their control, which has delayed the release of products and led to soaring prices weighing heavily on their bottom lines. The pandemic has driven home the need for manufacturing solutions that can be more easily managed and scaled internally.

As metal 3D printing has gotten more ubiquitous and affordable, with companies capable of printing everything from medical tools to auto parts, there’s opportunity for businesses to lessen their reliance on the fragile global supply chain. By manufacturing components closer to home through additive manufacturing, companies can shift to a more localized, on-demand method of manufacturing. They can save time, money and return jobs from offshore sites.

Companies like 3DEO, a leader in mass production of metal 3D printed parts, introduced the Manufacturing Cloud and additive printing technologies enable OEMs to keep closer tabs on their production lines so that they can respond in real-time to fluctuations in demand, thereby circumventing the external risks affecting supply chains. By tweaking product development through an integrated platform, companies are able to quickly shift logistics to better address the rapidly evolving situation on the ground. This is particularly important when dealing with a product that has a lot of different metal components, which are oftentimes sourced from around the world.

Some companies in 2020 and 2021 found themselves having to delay entire product launches and shipments because of a single component caught in the clog of the supply chain. 3D printing technologies offered a way out, so they could get back to business faster with competitive pricing that differentiated them from the competition. 3DEO has scaled metal 3D printing to unprecedented levels, and even competes with traditional manufacturing like CNC machining and metal injection molding, even in high production volumes. The company shipped its millionth production part in July, saving many of its customers from these supply chain woes.

Companies that have started to make the shift to additive manufacturing in recent years are reporting huge time and money savings. Ford began testing large-scale 3D printing of certain car parts in 2017 and says rapid manufacturing has changed the way its engineers develop and test cars by reducing the burden of sourcing required components. What once took four months and $500,000 to produce and source a prototype, now takes just four days a few thousand dollars through 3D printing. “You can come up with a really optimized part at the end of the day,” says Paul Susalla, section supervisor of Rapid Manufacturing at Ford. “That’s all because of the speed with which we can produce the prototype parts without tooling.” These aren’t just irrelevant car parts, either; they’re quality. Some of Ford’s 3D-printed components have garnered hundreds of thousands of miles and crash-tested at 70 mph, which the automaker says has resulted in higher-quality vehicles at a more affordable price point.

Being able to produce components at home helps shift to a more on-demand mindset, which is crucial when responding to day-to-day fluctuations in needs. It also helps a company save money, both through reduced time requirements and costs for shipping and storage of spare and rare parts. Shifting from mass production in cheap, foreign places to local on-demand assembly hubs fueled by new metal 3D printing technologies, manufacturers can produce only what they need. Data from DHL shows that hundreds of millions of spare parts for products as diverse as cars to watches and x-ray machines are stuck in storage at any given time across the world. Some of these are rarely used and may never be needed, which is a costly burden that builds inefficiency into a company’s supply chain. Case studies estimate that the actual share of excess inventories can sometimes exceed 20%, with inventory supplied and stored with no guarantee it will ever move off the shelf. Additive manufacturing can help eliminate that risk by shifting to an as-needed production model, so that they’re only produced upon proof of demand.

The future of manufacturing is on-demand and real-time. For example, 3DEO’s Manufacturing Cloud allows real-time scaling to meet evolving needs. Companies can quickly scale up or wind down in real-time depending on normal fluctuations because they maintain total control of the additive manufacturing process, enabling them to adapt more efficiently thereby increasing competitive advantages with time and cost. Mass disruptions in the supply chain, such as those caused from the COVID-19 pandemic, directly correlate with price increases. Companies that bring component manufacturing in-house through 3D printing are able to produce items faster and more affordably, reducing those risks and undercutting competitors still handcuffed to traditional manufacturing. An MIT analysis suggests that 3D printing could reduce total supply chain costs by 50-90% as production moves from make-to-stock offshore facilities that require a heavy reliance on freight to make-on-demand facilities located closer to the final customer.

Additive manufacturing solutions represent a new kind of industrial revolution at a time when the supply chain’s weaknesses are directly imposing on company operations. Vast savings in the form of time and money are rewarded to those willing to shift to a 3D printing methodology. New efficiencies in the supply chain can be unlocked, minimizing risk factors like COVID-19.

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About the Author: Matt Sand received three bachelor’s degrees from Tulane University in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Political Science. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force as a Communications Officer. While stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, Matt ran a team of 23 and was responsible for all core IT services. Matt then received his MBA from UCLA Anderson with a focus in entrepreneurship. Soon after graduating, he co-authored a book, The Agile Startup, with a professor of entrepreneurship. The book was published by Wiley & Sons in 2013. Since receiving his MBA, Matt has played a variety of roles across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He has founded or co-founded several startup companies, invested in early-stage companies at two Southern California-based venture funds, taught entrepreneurship courses at UCLA and LMU, and consulted with dozens of innovative companies of all sizes.

Sustainable
Archives, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

How Sustainable Practices Can Bolster the Global Economy

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Consumer demand for sustainable products is at an all-time high, likely due to a growing understanding of how consumption and energy use can impact the environment. In response, businesses are prioritizing sustainable practices and committing to goals to reduce consumption of resources, production of carbon emissions and generation of waste products.

While discussions of sustainability often center on the cost of sustainable practices, they could also be a major driver of growth for markets around the world. This is how eco-friendly practices could bolster the global economy as sustainability becomes a top business priority over the next few years.

Low-Waste Manufacturing and Safeguarding Raw Materials

Often, a key benefit of new sustainable technologies is their ability to reduce waste. They help manufacturers do more with less, reduce costs and ensure the availability of resources in the future.

For example, additive technologies, like 3D printing, are generating interest partly because they produce very little waste compared to conventional manufacturing. The process of adding material to a base via printing, rather than cutting it away to create the desired shape, makes it easier to minimize the by-product a project generates.

The growing availability of sustainable printing materials, like wood and metal, means manufacturers can also use 3D printing to mass-produce items with minimal waste.

These goods can also be more sustainable than those produced traditionally.

Some research has also found that 3D printing can use less energy than conventional manufacturing techniques, further reducing the environmental footprint. By reducing waste and resource consumption, sustainability may help manufacturers reduce costs and secure a competitive advantage.

Other manufacturing approaches look to recapture existing waste or find ways to turn it into resources other businesses may overlook. Reclaimed and recycled materials are an increasingly popular method for making manufacturing processes more sustainable.

Even as raw materials become more expensive, businesses can keep costs low by finding ways to take advantage of used materials that were set to go to landfills.

Practices that conserve limited raw materials in the first place can also safeguard future profits. Sustainable aquaculture can help fishermen limit resource consumption while avoiding overharvesting, which can result in smaller hauls and lower available revenue in the future. Sustainable lobster fishing uses techniques like v-notching — the marking of female lobsters with eggs — and trap size limits to preserve a population large enough to meet current and future demand.

In most industries, the availability of future resources will be dependent on current resource use to one extent or another. Sustainable resource generation and low-waste manufacturing are essential for businesses wanting to secure future growth.

 

Creating New Markets With Innovative Sustainable Products

Some products also create new opportunities for consumers. Many of these sustainable items are driving significant growth and reinvigorating markets that have been struggling over the past few years.

One of the best examples of these products is the e-bike, a transportation option often recommended to people wanting to reduce their carbon footprint. Unlike electric vehicles, which are typically thought of as a sustainable alternative to conventional cars, e-bikes create a sustainable transportation option that fills a formerly neglected demand niche.

These bikes are outfitted with a small electric motor and battery. They offer improved mobility and range over a standard bicycle, without the high speed or mechanical complexity of a vehicle like a moped or motorcycle.

In areas where environmental factors make bike travel impractical — like steep hills or long distances between important locations — e-bikes may still function as an effective means of travel. Also, because they can be plugged into any standard outlet, users in areas without EV infrastructure can adopt the bikes without worrying about running out of charge.

There is significant evidence that demand for e-bikes is one of the primary drivers behind the growth in bicycling right now. As imports of pedal-only bikes tanked in 2019 and 2020, there was an explosive increase in e-bike demand. Estimates of the market growth often have it on track to grow noticeably faster than the bike market in the near future, and some observers predict these bikes will eclipse standard options in the next few years.

For people living in or returning to cities and other population-dense areas, transportation options like e-bikes are likely to become much more popular. While bikes aren’t always an effective transportation option, e-bikes may mean consumers won’t have to turn to gas-powered methods — like public transit, conventional cars or mopeds — to get around.

Reducing Resource Consumption

The ongoing pivot to sustainable practices is also changing how and where businesses operate. One of the most significant changes has been in how buildings are designed, built and operated. Companies and architectural firms are starting to take advantage of innovative design techniques and new smart technology to reduce the resources needed to keep new buildings operational.

For example, whole-building design techniques change how structures are organized to save money or reduce energy consumption. Clever window placement can significantly increase the amount of natural lighting an office receives. This can make a building more pleasant for its occupants and reduce electricity costs.

Smart lighting systems, which can automatically adjust artificial sources based on the time of day and how much natural light a room is receiving, can optimize things even further.

Similar design strategies can help businesses cut down water usage or optimize an HVAC system. According to some industry experts, the use of high-performance HVAC equipment can result in cost cuts, emissions reductions and energy savings of up to 40% or more.

Whole-building design techniques can offer greater savings while also reducing the amount of work HVAC systems need to perform to keep a building comfortable. This can reduce the wear and tear in normal operations, meaning components may not have to be replaced or repaired as often.

Sustainability Is Driving Growth Around the World

In the near future, sustainable practices will be key drivers of business growth.

The more mindful use of resources will help ensure businesses minimize waste and keep raw materials available well into the future. New building design strategies will make offices and factories more comfortable and efficient, reducing resource consumption while boosting productivity.

Sustainable business strategies may also meet customer demands that were previously being ignored, such as the use of e-bikes. All these practices will help drive the economy to new heights and help the planet at the same time, something that benefits everyone.

3D Scanning
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Top 3 Trends Influencing 3D Scanning Market Share Between 2021-2027

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The 3D scanning market is estimated to grow at a substantial rate on the back of robust demand for 3D scanning solutions in the aerospace & defense sector for the correct measurement of components and parts. Since the sector complies with strict regulations related to the measurement of parts, authorities use 3D scanning solutions to scan assembled aircraft and its components.

3D scanning software allows for the accurate formation of a 4D image based on the data collected by scanners. The software can be utilized for the scan to BIM and scan to CAD models in the architecture industry.

Long-range scanners are being widely used in the construction sector as they allow scanning of large outdoor environments. Civil engineers use these scanners to measure large areas before starting the construction process. Additionally, there is a rising demand for structured light scanners owing to their ability to scan large objects at high speeds. These scanners provide highly accurate readings that can be analyzed using software to enable the restructuring or recreation of archaeological products.

Given several applications, companies in the 3D scanning market are developing new products. For instance, in 2020, Hexagon announced the launch of its new software plugin which allows full operation of structured light scanners from within a dedicated PolyWorks interface. With such innovations, Global Market Insights, Inc., reports that the 3D scanning market may register around USD 7.5 billion by 2027.

Mentioned below are some of the vital trends driving 3D scanning market expansion:

High demand for optical scanners

Optical scanners are witnessing rising demand as they are able to perform repeatable and highly precise 3D geometrical surface inspections and metrology-grade measurements. These scanners are widely used in reverse engineering applications, especially in the automobile industry. With 3D optical scanners, a highly accurate representation of the 3D printed part is obtained, which makes it an important tool in the manufacturing sector.

Multiple applications in the entertainment & media sector

In the entertainment & media industry, 3D scanning technology can be used to scan people for creating images for an animated movie. It can be used to virtually create an environment by scanning the actual geographic location. Entertainment design firms can make costumes, sets, and props. This technology decreases the cost of 3D movie production and game development, effectively transforming the innovative imagination into reality. Media & entertainment companies are likely to increasingly adopt 3D scanning software to reproduce real-world characters and objects and to construct virtual scenes.

Infrastructure development projects in MEA

The Middle East & Africa is witnessing an expanding construction sector. The growing tourism industry has led to the construction of new commercial complexes and shopping centers. Government organizations in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emphasizing modernizing and strengthening the infrastructure to ensure economic development. They are also undertaking large-scale transportation infrastructure development projects to maintain global economic competition. Moreover, new airport development projects could propel the regional 3D scanning business.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/3d-scanning-market

manufacturing
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Trends Shaping the Future of Electronics Manufacturing

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The electronic manufacturing industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally and has brought about changes in both businesses and personal life. It is estimated that the industry grew in revenue to about $2.4 trillion in the year 2020.

However, the growth is about to experience a new shift with the introduction of emerging and barrier-breaking trends that will shift the running of businesses, homesteads, and how electronic manufacturing is run. Although some trends and practices have been in the industry for years with emerging modern improvements and growth in the technology world, so has electronic manufacturing. Some of these trends take this industry to a new level.

Take a look at some future trends to watch out for in the electronic manufacturing industry and better understand how these trends manage to take top spots in shaping and directing the growth of the electronic industry.

Trends shaping the future of electronic manufacturing include:

1. Internet of Things

This is the connection of everyday devices through the internet, allowing easy sharing and receiving information through electronic devices. Internet of Things (IoT) has increasingly been embraced in electronic manufacturing with more companies, leveraging the benefits from IoT to increase device efficiency, improve consumer safety and cut costs.

2. Use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

By using virtual reality and augmented reality, manufacturers can design consumer-friendly products. Computer-aided designs have helped designers and manufacturers make accurate and timely changes to the products. Also, the use of VR and AR helps in designing and eliminates error and reduces inspection time as workers are better able to identify errors.

3. Use of 3-D Printing

A report by Smithers estimates an annual growth of 23% in the next decade in 3-D revenue. The report also shows the 3-D printing revenue growth is estimated to grow from $5.8 billion to about $55.8 billion by 2027.

The 3-D printing marketplace has a vast share around Western Europe and North America, where cutting-edge technology developers are pushing for increased mainstream use of 3D printing among technology companies.

Electronic manufacturing companies are capitalizing on their technological abilities and emerging trends. To ensure they remain competitive, it is important to work closely with equally fast emerging trends such as 3-D printing. 3-D printing developments are not only focused on the physical aspects but are also working on the design, the application, and the overall satisfaction of the end-user.

4. Big Data

Corporations worldwide have been exclusively using big data. Much of this was because it was expensive to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, advancements in IoT and other cutting-edge technologies have turned the tables. Now, businesses of all sizes can draw information from multiple sources. This has made big data more valuable than it was.

Consequently, electronic manufacturers are applying the information they receive from big data in various productive ways. For example, they apply it to minimize production costs while raising profit margins and market share. This is guided by the willingness of managers to gain more understanding of their businesses. This helps them to overcome various issues while projecting and preventing future challenges.

5. Use of Industrial Robotics

For years, the automotive industry was the leading driver in the growth of industrial robotics. However, this has changed, and industrial robotics have been used in electronic manufacturing to perform several tasks in recent years.

The widespread use of industrial robots in the electronic industries led to substantial growth in industrial robotics use in 2016, where global sales increased by about 16%. This number is estimated to grow over the years, leading to an increase in the global market.

The use of robots in electronic manufacturing has allowed miniaturization and reshoring. Moving forward in innovations, design, and the business running, manufacturers across the board are looking for ways to increase efficiency. The use of robots has proven an essential tool.

Besides future technological trends, manufacturing companies also need to look at some of the business trends that will influence the success and running of their business. Some of the future business trends to look out for include:

6. Use of ERP Systems

To keep a company competitive, companies need to enforce enterprise resource planning (ERP). Though this trend has been in use for some years, some worthy mention benefits of embracing this trend when looking to expand the electronic manufacturing industry include:

With the use of the internet in all operations, it is now more critical for a business to use real-time information; enterprise resource planning helps companies optimize and automate new information fast and in real-time.

Owing to fast access to real-time information, companies can act fast and make accurate and quick decisions. The enterprise resource planning has been through growth stages that have allowed its efficiency. However, with the growth of the electronic industry, the same is expected with the enterprise resources system with technological advancements working towards increasing reliability and ease in running the business.

7. Shift from B2B to B2B2C

For many years electronic manufacturing companies operated using the business-to-business (B2B) approach. But with more manufacturing companies looking for ways to cut costs. Companies are now turning to the business-to-business-to-consumer approach (B2B2C).

With the use of the B2B2C approach, companies are now working towards eliminating intermediaries, which helps them reach the clients directly; as a result, it increases company profits and, in turn, reduces purchase costs. Additionally, the B2B2C approach enables the manufacturers to collect accurate customer data, improving customer satisfaction.

Why these Trends

While these trends may seem like ordinary technological advancements, they have several things in common that make them unique. In a world full of innovations, new designs, and a desire to be effective, it is essential to have the following attributes in mind.

Working on cost reduction, most of the resources and trends making waves and promising success, reduces costs. Cost reduction will be beneficial to the manufacturing companies and cut the cost to the consumers.

Product efficiency, electronic devices are part of the world and the introduction and use of the internet across the globe. It is essential for manufacturing companies to not only provide functional products but increase efficiency. For instance, with the use of the internet, everything in electronic manufacturing, people can now have smart homes and have actual time footage on their homes or even offices. This is possible due to the electronic manufacturing innovations.

These trends have proven to help manufacturing companies achieve product precision, which improves quality and reduces costs and error.

Waste reduction, amid the technological innovations and significant electronic developments, is essential for companies to also focus on. This is not only a great way to cut company costs but is also an excellent way for these companies to preserve the environment.

Bottom Line

More people embracing electronic devices in their homes, places of work, and running businesses. Manufacturing companies have a massive task in ensuring consumer satisfaction by focusing on high-end innovation and working closely with other technology sectors to ensure they are competitive and efficient.

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Linda Liu is the overseas marketing manager for MKTPCB, a leading PCB manufacturer that offers high-quality PCB products and services. Since 2012, she has established “first-of-its-kind” industry-changing and transformational businesses initiatives that increased revenue growth, brand exposure and market expansion for MKTPCB. Linda graduated from Western University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

automation
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

5 Business Innovations Changing Supply Chain Management

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Efficient supply chains help businesses to be more competitive in the logistics market. One study shows that 57% of companies have admitted supply chain management gives them an edge over competitors and enables them to develop their business further. With the advent of data analytics and automation, supply chain processes have become more streamlined than ever.

The incorporation of technological solutions such as artificial intelligence, autonomous robots, and RFID is rapidly transforming supply chain processes. With the integration of technology, logistics has become faster and efficient than ever before.

The use of technology in supply chain management has completely changed the structure in which businesses operate.

In this post, I’ll list five key innovations that are transforming the supply chain industry.

Let’s dive right in.

1. Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Big Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence are making a significant impact on Supply Chain Management. Automation in data processing allows supply chain managers to get vast amounts of information in real-time and make smarter decisions based on that information.

Additionally, the internet of things (IoT) devices provide supply chain companies with reliable data on consumer inclinations and logistics trends. The best part about artificial intelligence is that it transforms raw data into actionable information without the need for human interference. According to McKinsey, after incorporating AI into their supply chains most executives reported an increase in revenues, whereas 44% reported a reduction in costs.

IoT is also helping supply chain companies in effective fleet management by automating their day-to-day business operations. For example, devices like ELD solutions allow managers to record driver logs, Hours of Service, browse engine data, and perform vehicle Inspections with a few clicks.

2. Impact of 3D Printing On Global Supply Chain

With advances in 3D printing, companies are manufacturing and delivering products quickly. 3D printing allows manufacturers to produce customized products and spare parts according to the needs of consumers. As manufacturing processes are customized and fastened, supply chains are becoming shorter, and the demand for goods supply is changing.

To stay competitive in the logistics market, supply chain companies are also turning to 3D printing to deliver products quickly. By adopting this technology, manufacturers produce goods closer to consumers, resulting in lower inventory levels, reduced shipping costs, and economical warehousing. According to a survey by Gartner, 65% of global supply chain managers are already using or plan to invest in 3D printing.

3. Autonomous Robots

The use of autonomous robots in supply chain management is improving the speed and accuracy of routine tasks, increasing productivity, and decreasing management costs. The bots are particularly helping in warehousing and manufacturing. Besides increasing efficiency by working side by side with human labor, the bots also reduce the risk of injury in dangerous situations.

Robotic process automation (RPA) helps supply chain managers locate and enhance inefficiencies across the chain. RPA also allows managers to run a smooth operation by responding to queries 24/7 through artificial intelligence.

Some supply chain giants are also investing in autonomous vehicles to cut payroll costs, eradicate the risk of human injury on the road, increase fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle wear and tear. All this ultimately increases Return on Investment (ROI).

4. Use of Logistics Software

Supply chain management companies extensively benefit from logistics software, such as the Transport Management Software, or TMS. TMS offers a digital platform for supply chain managers to optimize fleet operations by efficiently tracking inventory and materials across the supply chain in real-time.

In traditional supply chain management, fleet tracking was a time-consuming manual task with a high chance of error. Logistics software systems have automated warehousing and inventory tracking. This ultimately improves accuracy and minimizes operating costs while ensuring transparency between the businesses and the consumer market.

5. Radio Frequency Identification

Like most other businesses, Radio Frequency Identification or RFID is contributing effectively to supply chain operations. RFID is a wireless technology that uses radio signals to tag objects. These tags look like barcodes and are used to automatically identify, follow and trace goods in real-time without human intervention. This significantly improves data accuracy and traceability throughout supply chains.

The RFID technology offers several supply chain benefits, including efficient material handling, enhanced asset management, and improved merchandise availability. It is particularly beneficial in managing supply disruptions by reducing workload and eliminating human errors.

Final Word!

Technology, especially automation, is transforming every industry around the globe. Technological advancements are making a significant impact on logistics and supply chain management as well. With these innovations already in use by the industry giants, it is high time that small businesses also integrate them into their supply chain processes to ensure lasting success in the industry.

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Craig Stobbie is the Director at Endura Private Wealth. With over 12 years’ experience in the industry, both in Australia and in the UK, and holding the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner™ designation, the highest qualification within the Financial Planning Association of Australia, he specializes in helping people with transition to Retirement planning, Superannuation, Investments and meeting their Insurance needs.