Manufacturing Magazine May 2019 | Page 58

SUPPLY CHAIN & OPERATIONS
58

3D printing and additive manufacturing are becoming some of the most disruptive technologies in the fourth industrial revolution . Revolutionising traditional sectors , such as healthcare , food manufacturing and most notably , the automotive sector , the global market for 3D printing and services is expected to grow to almost US $ 50bn by 2025 . Metal 3D printing , in particular , houses widespread applications in advanced manufacturing and engineering , where this innovation can address unmet challenges of speed , cost and quality for many automotive customers .

Demand for additive manufacturing solutions continues to grow apace across the United States , both in terms of production and consumption . A recent study by Sculpteo found that 93 % of companies using 3D printing in 2018 were able to gain competitive advantage , reducing time-to-market and the ability to deliver shorter production runs for customers . As industries continue to increase their investments to accelerate the production of customised products , businesses are continually seeking to increase sales and drive revenue growth across all avenues .
Situated in Massachusetts , Desktop Metal has tapped into this demand . Producing 3D printed parts at low cost , which are cheaper ,
MARCH 2019