United States Department of Transportation
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Edition:Final Report, 4/1/2015 – 7/31/15
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Abstract:In recent years, significant progress has been made in additive manufacturing (AM) for numerous applications in various industrial segments. International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts the global market for 3D printing technology to exceed $14 billion in 2019. It is expected to double in the next five years. 3D printing technology can fabricate complex geometries with no part-specific tooling and much less waste material, and can produce various customized products at lower cost. An MIT study indicates that the adoption of 3D printing can reduce supply chain costs by 50% to 90%, this being particularly true for slow-moving and custom products (Bhasin and Bodla 2014). Bulk of the savings for traditional manufacturers would come from the reduction of transportation activity and worldwide goods transfers. A possible decline in the air cargo and the ocean container businesses because of 3D printing is 41% and 37% respectively. Also, 25% of the trucking freight business is exposed to decline. 3D printing technology brings the production closer to the consumer, so production and distribution of products could begin to be deglobalized. Therefore, 3D printing technology is likely a disruptive innovation that will affect the logistics industry and the global supply chain. Moreover, products can be fabricated on demand without the need to build up inventories or warehouse new products and spare parts. This report presents an overview of the potential impact of 3D printing technology and its future on the transportation sectors related to logistics, supply chains, and freight. It is noteworthy that over 30% of imported goods in the US are potentially suitable for manufacture by 3D printing technology, so there is a high probability that 3D printing will create new high-tech jobs, and produce a shift in the current labor market. However, there is significant economic benefit when AM technologies are integrated with traditional manufacturing shops. This report does not speculate on that shift, but summarizes existing research to better understand how 3D printing could affect the current market of $2.4 trillion in goods imported into the US.
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