Surely one of the first major leaps in the use of 3d printing – 3D printing for the spare parts industry

Imagine this scenario- you are putting together an item of flat pack furniture. However you suddenly find you are missing an essential item. Instead of having to wait weeks to order a spare part you simply print it off! However 3D printing for the spare parts industry is not a fantasy- it is something that is very real and a number of industries could benefit from this.

Benefits of 3D printing for the spare parts industry

3D printing offers a wealth of potential benefits- in effect it could potentially massive reduce the costs of logistics. Instead of spending millions on transporting items around the world you can simply print off the parts.
This also means good news for smaller manufacturers- as the technology becomes more affordable it also means that independent businesses could also benefit. In recent times the internet has meant more people want next day delivery for their items and 3D printing would mean that any additional spare parts could be easily ordered and this in turn means customers are more likely to stick with companies that are flexible enough to keep up with the needs of their customers.

Reduced wastage – via 3D printing for the spare parts industry

One potential concern is that the ease of printing will mean more items are produced, resulting in a potential increase in waste. However this can be countered by the fact that many printers on the market can use recycled material, cutting down on waste in the process (and this efficiency is likely to continue to improve with new models on the market.)

In short 3D printing for the spare parts industry is something that is already very beneficial and as the technology improves there is a massive potential for increased efficiency for both larger corporations and small independent businesses alike. How far we are off printing our own Alan keys and screws remains to be seen but we are likely to see the benefits of this technology sooner rather than later.