How Additive Manufacturing can transform the Post-Brexit supply chain for UK businesses

Due to recent changes within the UK logistics as a consequence of Brexit, manufacturers have been presented with new challenges to operations in their supply chains between the UK and the EU. Considerable non-tariff barriers and obstacles are already having an impact on the manufacturing industry. At the end of last year businesses anticipated delays, border checks, and regulations to impact their supply chain networks. The significant challenges impacting businesses are;

• The availability and delays in the arrival of goods, parts, and raw materials

• Longer lead times 

• Longer production times

• Higher costs per item/product produced

Brexit has also created a landslide of trade compliance complications for businesses doing business in or with the UK. The new tariff regime may raise the cost of certain goods for UK importers and also increase the administrative costs of complying with new rules and classification codes. 

The impact of Brexit on global trade over the next few years is likely to result in:

• Higher costs for many goods and services

• Increased import/export costs

• Higher taxes

• Border and customs disputes

• Supply chain shortages and disruptions

• Shipping delays

• Business resource allocation issues 

3D printing solutions

Trade regulations are inevitably increasing the costs of parts and raw materials for British manufacturers, with ongoing delays leading to congestion in the supply chain. The knock-on effect of delays leads to the end customer waiting and potentially sourcing parts elsewhere. 3D printing gives businesses the ability to gain manufacturing flexibility and versatility by being able to print onsite. This means that manufacturers can speed up production times through rapid in-house production and reduce lead times. 

ALD Print Success Story 

Director Alistair Lofthouse of ALD Design & Print is always striving to be at the forefront of technology, from traditional printing to cutting edge 3D printing. Alistair’s company offers a series of 3D printed locomotive kits for the avid locomotive enthusiast to build and enjoy. ALD print originally used the Ultimaker 2+ for the creation of his unique locomotive model kits. Using the latest 3D printing technology and upgrading to the Ultimaker S3, using his own CAD Design he can now produce these models in a variety of sizes and with a wider choice of materials.

“The upgrade to the S3 from the 2+ has been a great improvement for us. In my opinion it’s the difference between a hobbyist machine to a professional production machine.” Director Alistair Lofthouse

Read the full success story here. 

Ultimaker S3

Inside an efficiently small footprint suitable for any desk, the Ultimaker S3 delivers composite-ready extrusion that you can rely on. The S3 unlocks high-end applications with abrasive materials. With high quality components such as higher precision stepper motors, a stiff heated build plate, sensors for measuring bed topology for improved first layer adhesion and much more. If you are happy with a smaller build volume but want the added precision, material flexibility and ease of use the Ultimaker S3 is the ideal solution.  

Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle

For businesses that require a more industrial 3D printer, the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle will allow you to confidently print parts 24/7, boost productivity, and open up additional opportunities for customisation. This S5 Pro Bundle was introduced in September 2019 as the revolutionary production desktop 3D printer. The bundle is made up by adding two components to the flagship S5 model: The Ultimaker Material Station and the Ultimaker S5 Air Manager. 

There is a lot to consider in the environment where designers, engineers, and businesses look to integrate 3D printing into their workflow. The storage of the filament, the ability to automate production safely in the surrounding environment, are all factors that maximise the many benefits of additive manufacturing. The Ultimaker Material Station offers real innovation within the 3D printing market, its capabilities are one of a kind and provide companies with true 24/7 3D printing. The features of the Material Station include: 

• Reduced operator time   

• Intelligent storage unit for up to 6 filament reels

• Controls humidity levels with silicone beads to absorb the ambient humidity

• Front-loading for a simplified reel placement and removal experience

• NFC recognition that knows the material type/colour and displays on the printer screen and in Cura

• Filament management: Auto replaces empty spool - ideal for large prints

The final part that makes up the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle is the Ultimaker S5 Air Manager, mounted on top of the 3D printer to fully contain the printing process and create a safer overall work environment. Desktop 3D printers are being widely used in businesses, schools, colleges, and universities. If you want to reduce the release of fumes and particles - look no further than the S5 Air Manager. Having a fully enclosed 3D printer has several benefits:

• Safe to use 

• Wide range of printable materials 

• Better print quality  

Ultimaker Material Alliance

The Ultimaker Material Alliance is one of the reasons that Ultimaker has the most attractive solution on the market. Businesses can access over 150 materials and print profiles through the Ultimaker Marketplace. With access to the Material Alliance program businesses have the flexibility to choose the material that is best suited for the application. Often the materials selected are the same branded material that was originally used to produce the parts and tools. This means companies only need to adapt the process of production, making Ultimaker the preferred solution. By identifying the properties needed for the application manufacturers can print highly complex 3D prints with industrial-grade materials that offer maximum performance and are future-ready. Some of the properties that Ultimaker materials meet include high strength, impact-resistant, ESD safe, composite, flame retardant, flexible and chemical resistant. Having such a versatile range of materials gives manufacturers numerous options and the flexibility to meet the requirements of the parts and tools they are producing.

Ultimaker Enterprise Software

Manufacturers in all types of industry are driving sustainability & innovation by integrating additive manufacturing technology. However, there is one significant barrier that still prevents businesses from adopting this new technology - the lack of knowledge. 

Ultimaker Essentials is designed to scale the benefits of 3D printing across organisations and is also dedicated to enterprise stability and control. To ensure all businesses are set with the full AM solution - with every Ultimaker 3D printer purchase, customers will receive a link to activate the Essentials plan and unlock the power of the entire platform. 

What makes this software so advance is the features that are accessible with an Essentials organisational account, this includes:

• Ultimaker Cura Enterprise - Packaged for deployment, security assessed, offers higher stability, long term support (1 year)

• Ultimaker Digital Factory - Manage a full remote 3D printing workflow and scale-up productivity with user administration and team sharing within the organisation all protected under a Firewall. 

• Ultimaker Marketplace - Access verified and security assessed plugins with a controlled installation workflow

• Ultimaker Support - Access knowledge base for integrating and deploying solutions with direct IT support. 

• Ultimaker 3D printing academy - E-learning courses to ramp up onboarding of Ultimaker solutions. 

With Ultimaker Academy businesses can provide their employees with online courses ensuring that their business is continually driving innovation, operating at maximum capacity through their resources and giving their staff the opportunity to learn, develop CAD & AM skills while ensuring that the business drives sustainability and innovation. At a time when many manufacturers have had to furlough the majority of their workforce, investing in employees and upskilling the workforce leads to benefits for both the employee and the employer. After a prolonged time off work, offering opportunities to upskill is likely to motivate employees to bring new ideas and re-engage them into the business by making them feel valued.

3DGBIRE Ltd is the premium service & training provider for Additive Manufacturing For Industry within the UK and Ireland. By offering high-quality products and customer-focused service, sales and technical support, we will ensure that all industries have the resources they need to unleash their creative potential while successfully integrating additive manufacturing into their entire business cycle.

3DGBIRE offers both physical and digital solutions and treats every employee and customer as a priority. By implementing efficient systems and listening to our community we bring together the world of 3D FFF & DLP printers, premium scanners, filaments, resin, spare parts and service plans that guarantee complete satisfaction.

To join others in driving sustainability and innovation -  book a 360 business consultation with one of our AM consultations: 01257 228411 or enquiries@3dgbire.com