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dc.contributor.advisorShardul Phadnis.en_US
dc.contributor.authorBhasin, Varunen_US
dc.contributor.authorBodla, Muhammad Raheelen_US
dc.contributor.otherMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2014-12-08T18:49:21Z
dc.date.available2014-12-08T18:49:21Z
dc.date.copyright2014en_US
dc.date.issued2014en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92106
dc.descriptionThesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2014.en_US
dc.descriptionCataloged from PDF version of thesis.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (pages 81-82).en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis aims to quantitatively estimate the potential impact of 3D Printing on global supply chains. Industrial adoption of 3D Printing has been increasing gradually from prototyping to manufacturing of low volume customized parts. The need for customized implants like tooth crowns, hearing aids, and orthopedic-replacement parts has made the Life Sciences industry an early adopter of 3D Printing. Demand for low volume spare parts of vintage cars and older models makes 3D Printing very useful in the Automotive industry. Using data collected from expert interviews, site visits, and online sources, and making assumptions where necessary, we developed our model by comparing the current supply chain processes and cost with the future supply chain processes and cost after 3D Printing was adopted. We also developed models to show future trends in 3D Printing adoption and costs. There were several challenges and limitations in this process due to limited availability of primary data, which led us to use secondary sources like the internet and make assumptions. One of the key features of our thesis is that we explicitly state all our assumptions, and present a model that is amenable to what-if analysis. Our analyses suggest that 3D Printing will change future supply chains significantly as production will move from make-to-stock in offshore/low-cost locations to make-on-demand closer to the final customer. This will significantly reduce transportation and inventory costs. The model shows that this will be especially true for low volume products. The models also show us the sensitivity analysis around the change in supply chain costs with the projected decrease in the cost and an increase in adoption of 3D Printing. The other major impact will be the reduction in lost sales due to unavailability of products and increase in customer satisfaction with almost 100% product availability. Finally, our analyses also indicate that 3D Printing could change the dynamics of the logistics industry: there may be reduction in the volume of freight business with an opportunity for 3PL companies to provide 3D Printing services in warehouses.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Varun Bhasin and Muhammad Raheel Bodla.en_US
dc.format.extent82 pagesen_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582en_US
dc.subjectEngineering Systems Division.en_US
dc.titleImpact of 3D printing on global supply chains by 2020en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeM. Eng. in Logisticsen_US
dc.contributor.departmentMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
dc.identifier.oclc895849682en_US


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