3D Printing And Transportation

3D printing is a very interesting form of manufacturing technology in my opinion. This technology allows for the creation of pretty much anything you’d like it to make. 3D printing can be used to create a wide variety of products. Some of the final products could be truly custom figurines such as custom action figures or bobble heads. Some of the final products could be prototypes for a product development firm. Some of the final products from 3D printing could be intricate things like organs, and body parts. Others could be things like houses. I want to talk about how this industry is going to create a serious array of jobs, while reducing the use of outsourcing.

One thing to know about 3D printing, is that it can be done on site, it could be done in some factory in Taiwan, it could be done anywhere. It could be done at a local manufacturing shop. It could be done anywhere there is a 3d printer. Why are we continuing to use the manufacturing services of companies that are out of this continent? There are so many inefficiencies that come about from that. Initially, the price of getting these models can sometimes be more expensive. However, it can be cheaper in mass production. Let’s talk about 3D printing. First off, the hazards to the environment are pretty serious in comparison to work done in the United States. There are so many inefficiencies that come about from outsourcing this work. Aside from supporting child labor and social issues, there are tons of transportation expenses that come about.

When a piece is produced overseas, there are the initial facility emissions. This may be the same in the United States. Now let’s consider transportation just to the ports in that country. The machinery used to move the product out of the facility onto trucks or trains should be taken into consideration. The trains or trucks will then drive down to the port. At the port, various machinery will be used to move the product onto the ships themselves. This should also be taken into consideration. After that, the ship itself will have to travel halfway around the world to bring products JUST into your nation. After this happens, the ports will have to use machinery to move parts off the ships, and onto the “homeland” if you will. The same machinery will continue to be used when moving parts onto trains, trucks, or whatever. These machines will then transport product to a warehouse of some kind. More machinery will be used to remove product from the trucks into the warehouse. Finally, when a customer orders a part, it will then be removed from facility with machinery, and put on a truck or shipped in some format. This fuel consumption should also be taken into consideration.

Compare that extensive transportation process to the use of 3D printing locally. The 3D printing process is much simpler! When using 3D printing, a 3D model will be sent to the facility locally over the computer, so no transportation would be taken into consideration there. The printer itself will then print the model in house. After that, it will be shipped out in one package, and will only use a “one way” and “one method” of shipping. Perhaps there is machinery involved to move the product, but not very likely for a 3D printed part. Compare that extensive process, to a postage stamp, or even a “flat rate” shipping box. That’s it.