UPS to launch on-demand 3D printing network

UPS is launching an on-demand additive manufacturing network that will make the “convenience and cost savings of 3D printing” accessible to more potential users. In a statement issued today (18 May), UPS said that the solution links UPS’s global logistics network with both the 3D printers installed in more than 60 UPS Stores and also Fast Radius’ high-capacity 3D printing factory in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to UPS: “The integration into one additive manufacturing and logistics solution this summer will make 3D printing accessible to more potential users, enabling them to realize the convenience and cost-savings this technology offers.”

Fast Radius was previously known as CloudDDM, and announced its new name earlier this week. UPS is a minority investor in Fast Radius through the UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund (SEF).

Post&Parcel’s sister publication, the Mail & Express Review, wrote about the collaboration between UPS and CloudDDM in its Autumn 2015 edition. Company co-founder and Chairman Mitch Free told the MER at the time that the Louisville facility had a manufacturing capacity that was “the equivalent of 100 printers”.

In its statement today, UPS explained how customers will be able to use the 3D printing network: “Customers will visit the Fast Radius website (formerly CloudDDM) to place their 3D printing orders, which will be directed to the optimal manufacturing or The UPS Store location based on speed, geography, and the product quality the customer requires. Orders can be shipped as early as same day. While participating The UPS Store locations are all in the U.S., companies globally could utilize the network and place orders.”

UPS also announced today that SAP’s extended supply chain software is being integrated with its 3D printing solution and logistics network. According to UPS this will mean that “SAP customers will be able to digitize and simplify the production part approval process through SAP and their orders can be seamlessly routed to UPS for production and delivery”.

Stan Deans, president, UPS Global Distribution & Logistics, commented: “UPS is a leader in bringing industrial-strength 3D printing to reality. By building this disruptive technology into our supply chain models, we also bring new value to our manufacturing customers of all sizes.

“Additive manufacturing technology is still developing rapidly so ‘manufacturing as a service’ is a smart approach for many companies.”

Daniel Remba, Small Business Technology Leader for The UPS Store, added: “Connecting all The UPS Store locations into a larger network provides more opportunity for new customers to access our printers and gives customers added flexibility to match their requirements with the appropriate UPS location.”

Click here for more information on The UPS Store 3D printing capabilities. For more information about 3D printing at UPS, please visit www.ups.com/3Dprinting.