A North American manufacturer of commercial vehicles is a pioneer in producing 3D printed plastic components. It is mainly to facilitate an access to parts for older trucks that are not easy to find.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks decided to invest in new technologies in the supply chain network in order to deliver spare parts to customers faster and more efficiently. Plastic parts, such as covers, spacers, spring caps, air and wiring ducts, brackets and mountings are printed using selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology. Each 3D part is quickly available on demand worldwide.
The first plastic series-production parts made using additive manufacturing technology have been in use since 2016 in, among others, our commercial vehicles division and in special-purpose vehicles such as, e.g. the Unimog. Today, customers can order a double-digit number of parts for Mercedes-Benz Trucks out of the 3D printer in any desired quantity, „at the touch of a button,” so to speak” – reads the statement on Daimler’s website.
Digital warehouse
3D printing also means that there is no need to store the parts in physical warehouses. Instead, they are available in a digital warehouse and printed on demand. Previously, the old parts required productions facilities which needed maintenance. Such solution was highly uneconomical. 3D printing allows resource conservation and is eco-friendly at the same time.
Photo: Wikipedia.org