Abstract

Additive Manufacturing or 3 D printing is radically changing the way products are designed and manufactured. The humanitarian sector has started exploring how 3 D printing can help match supply with the global rise in humanitarian needs. However, there has been very little academic research in the field. This study aims to bridge this gap by reviewing twelve case studies of 3 D printed products to examine the effects of 3 D printing on the humanitarian supply chain. The findings reveal four supply chain archetypes, which demonstrate that 3 D printing is impacting the humanitarian supply chain with respects to networks, governance, processes and products. We compare the benefits and challenges of these archetypes to contest that 3 D printing will not necessarily simplify and shorten the supply chain. Instead, we suggest the need for a holistic supply chain approach that includes the local production of 3 D printers and filament, alongside local design and manufacture. This much-needed study provides the foundations for future academic research and offers relevant guidance for practitioners using 3 D printing in the humanitarian sector.

摘要

增材制造或 3D 打印正在从根本上改变产品的设计和制造方式。人道主义部门已开始探索 3D 打印如何帮助将供应与全球人道主义需求的增长相匹配。然而，该领域的学术研究很少。本研究旨在通过回顾 12 个 3D 打印产品案例研究来弥合这一差距，以检验 3D 打印对人道主义供应链的影响。调查结果揭示了四种供应链原型，这表明 3D 打印在网络、治理、流程和产品方面正在影响人道主义供应链。我们比较了这些原型的好处和挑战，以证明 3D 打印不一定会简化和缩短供应链。反而，我们建议需要一个整体的供应链方法，包括本地生产 3D 打印机和灯丝，以及本地设计和制造。这项急需的研究为未来的学术研究奠定了基础，并为在人道主义领域使用 3D 打印的从业者提供了相关指导。