Ansätze zum Management der Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain

Abstract

As Additive Manufacturing (AM) differs from traditional production methods, it creates new possibilities in product design and supply chain setup. The effects of the relaxation of traditional restrictions in product design are discussed intensively under the term “Design for Additive Manufacturing”. In the same way, AM is relaxing some restriction in traditional supply chain setup. Especially the following improvements are possible: reduction of lot sizes and lead times, on-demand production, decentralized production, customization on the level of parts and continuous development of parts. Many companies do not invest in AM technologies themselves, but buy parts at suppliers. In order to realize the improvements of the AM supply chain with suppliers, the following requirements towards AM sourcing and procurement processes arise. First, the effort per order needs to be reduced. Second, AM users need direct access to suppliers without the detour over the procurement department. Third, suitable AM suppliers need to be identified easily. Fourth, switching between providers needs to be possible with low effort. A possible solution are AM specific e-procurement system to meet these requirements.