How to Build a Stronger Supply Chain with Digital Manufacturing Tools

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing manufacturing landscape, supply chain disruptions have become a significant challenge for businesses worldwide. From material shortages to delayed shipments, even minor hiccups can lead to costly downtime and missed opportunities. However, with the advent of digital manufacturing tools, companies now have powerful solutions to strengthen their supply chains, reduce dependency on external vendors, and respond quickly to unforeseen challenges. 

Here’s how tools like SOLIDWORKS and Markforged 3D printers are revolutionizing supply chain resilience: 

On-Demand Production with 3D Printing

Traditional supply chains often rely on long lead times and external suppliers for critical components. With industrial-grade 3D printers like those from Markforged, manufacturers can produce parts on-demand, eliminating the need for excessive inventory and reducing shipping delays. 

Key Benefits 

• Quick Turnaround: Create functional prototypes, tooling, and production parts in hours or days rather than weeks. 

• Localized Manufacturing: Reduce reliance on international suppliers by producing parts in-house. 

• Cost Savings: Minimize shipping costs and avoid expensive expedited orders during emergencies. 

Proactive Design with SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS offers a comprehensive suite of tools for designing, testing, and optimizing products before they ever reach production. This level of precision allows manufacturers to anticipate potential supply chain issues and design around them. 

Examples 

• Use SOLIDWORKS Simulation to test materials and reduce reliance on specific suppliers. 

• Leverage PDM (Product Data Management) tools to centralize design files, ensuring all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date information. 

• Implement Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to streamline production processes and minimize errors. 

Enhanced Collaboration & Data Management

Modern supply chains often involve multiple stakeholders, from design engineers to production managers and suppliers. SOLIDWORKS PDM helps facilitate seamless collaboration by providing a secure platform for sharing, storing, and tracking data. 

How It Helps 

• Ensure everyone in your supply chain is working from the same data, reducing errors caused by miscommunication. 

• Enable real-time updates and version control, so teams can quickly adapt to changing requirements. 

• Improve traceability for compliance and quality assurance purposes. 

Custom Fixturing and Tooling with 3D Printing

3D printing isn’t just for end-use parts; it’s also an invaluable resource for creating custom fixturing and tooling. This capability allows manufacturers to overcome bottlenecks in their production lines without waiting for traditional tooling suppliers. 

Example Use Cases 

• Create bespoke fixtures for CNC machining operations. 

• Rapidly prototype molds and jigs for assembly processes. 

• Replace worn or damaged tooling in hours, keeping production running smoothly. 

Mitigating Supply Chain Risks with Digital Twins

By combining 3D design tools like SOLIDWORKS with IoT-enabled devices, manufacturers can create digital twins—virtual replicas of their production systems. These models allow teams to simulate potential disruptions and identify areas for improvement. 

Benefits 

• Anticipate how delays in one part of the supply chain will impact the entire system. 

• Optimize production schedules to account for material shortages or equipment downtime. 

• Test new supply chain configurations without disrupting operations. 

Real-World Success: A Manufacturer’s Story

Take, for example, Dynamac, Inc., a precision CNC machining shop that adopted a Markforged 3D printer to streamline their processes. By printing custom fixturing and robotic staging components in-house, they were able to reduce downtime and dependency on external vendors, saving both time and money. 

Their experience highlights the transformative power of digital tools in building a more resilient supply chain. 

Future-Proof Your Supply Chain with GSC

At GSC, we specialize in equipping manufacturers with the tools and expertise needed to overcome supply chain challenges. Whether you’re looking to bring production in-house with Markforged 3D printers or streamline your design process with SOLIDWORKS, our team is here to help. 

Get Started Today 

• Contact Us for a personalized consultation. 

• Explore our 3D printing solutions to see how they can strengthen your operations. 

• Sign up for our upcoming webinars to learn more about the latest advancements in manufacturing technology. 

Don’t let supply chain disruptions slow you down. Embrace the power of digital manufacturing tools and turn challenges into opportunities.