Key Benefits
1. Cutback on inventory waste
Nowadays, retailers have to predict upcoming trends and adjust the purchase of goods accordingly. That’s a tough task and it means that one poor judgment can result in huge inventory waste. With 3D printing, that is no longer a problem as ordering products is easy and the products will be delivered just-in-time.
2. Highly customized production
3D printing technology allows for the production of intricate designs with different materials, such as strong Nylon PA12 or flexible PEBA. As customers become more demanding and their hunger for custom-made products grows rapidly, the retail industry has to constantly find ways to meet their expectations. 3D printing is just the answer for those needs. For instance, customers can get perfectly fitted shoes thanks to 3D scans of the customer’s feet and also in their favorite color, thanks to a wide range of materials.
3. End of the Supply Chain
With 3D printing, retailers can now purchase raw materials and print inventory themselves, either at warehouses or in the retail outlet. This could mean a drastic reduction in the numbers of suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
4. Products with High Complexity
3D Printing is well-suited to make products with high complexity. This is because any part that can be modelled digitally can be printed.
5. Transformation of Spare Parts Market
Consider you’re a farmer and your tractor breaks during harvest time. Waiting a few days for a spare part could jeopardize the entire season. A 3D printer solves this problem. And it’ll solve the same problem for everything from coffee makers to skateboard wheels. This doesn’t just mean an end to the spare parts business. It also means a new level of longevity for the products we purchase.
6. Rise of User-Designed Products
Consider Apple Inc. There will always be some version of Apple in the market—an uber design-centric company pushing out products so slick they always find a buyer. Yet, for everything from fashion to furniture, ‘customer-designed’ will complement ‘designer-designed’ as the rising standard.
Applications
Custom retail products
With 3D printing, you can unleash your imagination to create your favorite object and get products designed to perfectly match your customer’s expectations. Indeed, some retailers offer you full customization of your product from A to Z to have a unique identity and to enhance your image. When you use 3D printing technology, your imagination is truly the only limit.
Displays
Large retail displays or custom mannequins, such as the aforementioned baseball mannequin, aren’t entirely new. The revolution is in how fast they can now be made with a large format 3D printer, not to mention the unlimited creative freedom. 3D printing such gigantic pieces dramatically reduces production hours, so retail stores can take an idea from concept to display in record time.
Consumer products
From a faster time-to-market to cost-effective customization, 3D printing offers several benefits to manufacture consumer products. With advancements in 3D printing technologies and the development of workflow management software such as RP Platform, consumer goods manufacturers should take a closer look at the benefits that 3D printing technology can bring to product development and production. And as companies must constantly innovate and adapt to changing market trends, the adoption of 3D printing can help meet market demands while maintaining a competitive edge.
