The Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain 251

The Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain provides an overview of significant ways traditional supply chain management differs with the use of additive manufacturing. A typical supply chain in traditional manufacturing begins with the procurement of raw materials, then moves on to production and assembly, centralized storage of finished goods, and finally, distribution to the consumer. Additive manufacturing, which turns digital three-dimensional models into physical objects by building them up in layers, has the potential to combine production and assembly into fewer steps, to minimize storage needs, and to be more responsive to customer needs. Additive manufacturing increases supply chain responsiveness and competitiveness, but it also presents unique concerns, particularly with regards to materials procurement and storage. After completing this course, users will have a better awareness of both the advantages and the challenges of the additive manufacturing supply chain.