DPD in 3D printing partnership

DPD is partnering the additive manufacturing specialist 3YOURMIND to develop a solution which combines logistics and 3D printing capabilities. In a statement issued on Monday (7 November) 3YOURMIND said: “3D printers are becoming more and more like small factories in terms of quality. But they represent a unique paradigm in that they can be operated remotely, in reduced space and are highly customizable and transportable. As we see a convergence with alternative energies and self-powered devices it will become possible to operate the machines while being transported and in remote off-grid production locations.”

3YOURMIND added: “Now consider when those production facilities are fit into a shipping container. Full production studios can be shipped on demand to the locations where they are required using the existing logistical planning networks. With advances in stabilization technology, those containers can become moving factories in the wagon of a train, a container on a truck, on a plane, producing high value custom objects while being delivered to the final destination.”

In other words, 3D printers can be installed on moving vehicles – such as DPD vans – so items can be produced on demand, and on the move.