A New Supply Chain: 3D Printing Allows For The Creation Of A Global, Decentralized Supply Network

3D printing is a revolutionary technology that allows anyone to easily create and manufacture complex products with relative ease.

You create the design, and the printers will “print” physical products using sequential layers of material until the object is completed. 3D-printed objects are created through an additive process in which the printer places layer after layer of material until the desired item is “printed.”

3DOS is a startup looking to create the world's largest peer-to-peer manufacturing network, allowing anyone to upload a design, have their product made anywhere in the world and receive royalties. 3DOS is raising funds on StartEngine to bring this network to life, which means anyone can invest in 3DOS for a limited time. To learn more, click here.

A decentralized supply chain would not be possible using traditional manufacturing methods because anyone looking to join someone’s manufacturing network would need complex tools and to learn specific methods to make the desired product. Conversely, 3D printing allows anyone to use a blueprint to manufacture any product within the realm of that printer’s capabilities with relative ease. In the case of 3DOS, that means someone can print a product idea from anywhere in the world.

This creates an interesting opportunity to effectively revolutionize the supply chain. 3DOS is looking to create a marketplace where people can list their products, which can be printed and delivered locally. Or people can earn royalties by designing products and selling their printing blueprints to someone who wants to sell those products.

This process creates positive incentives for everyone involved. Manufacturers are attracted to it because it creates a scalable income method for those that have 3D printers. A person with only one 3D printer can print when available to earn extra cash. If it’s profitable enough, they can ramp up production with more printers to increase the network’s manufacturing capacity. Larger printer networks wind up with seemingly endless demand for their business.

For sellers of all sizes, such a network reduces the burden associated with sourcing suppliers. This method has the capability of drastically reducing logistics costs because you can manufacture locally and suppliers can decide whether or not to print at various prices. Startups looking to manufacture products can source suppliers from around the world, further reducing burdens on small businesses. 

Last year, a number of companies struggled with widespread supply chain issues, some of which persist in 2023. As innovative solutions like 3DOS grow in prominence, these issues might soon be a thing of the past or at least offer an alternative in challenging times.