Time to read: 10 min
The Rise of On-Demand Manufacturing
It’s no surprise that the manufacturing industry felt the same pressure as other industries in a post-Amazon world. Customers expect companies to provide them with what they need when they want it, with very little tolerance for delays. The growth of ecommerce and the rapid rate of change in various industries need a production model capable of adapting to fluctuating business needs.
On-demand manufacturing supports a company’s need for rapid product delivery and real-time access to details of the production process. Manufacturers are more capable of providing their customers with more personalized experiences built around their needs.
Many hope that on-demand manufacturing services could be the answer to handlingongoing disruptions在供应链过程中，许多行业已经在使用按需制造业：
- Aerospace- NASA使用能够产生20,000磅推力的SLM创建了火箭喷油器。
- 汽车- 迈凯轮赛车队在一级方程式赛车中使用3D印刷零件。这样可以将他们的周转时间从五周增加到十天。
- 卫生保健— The New York University School of Medicine has plans for a clinical study involving 300 patients to examine the viability of creating kidney models for individual patients through additive manufacturing.
虚构的2021 State of Manufacturing report表明，91％的公司在去年增加了对数字技术的投资，其中68％的公司以改善其供应链流程。这种转变导致更多行业从传统制造业过渡到按需制造模型。
How is On-Demand Different from Traditional Manufacturing?
Traditional manufacturing relies on a financial model that requires producing a large number of a few products at the lowest cost possible. To work efficiently, companies need a large physical footprint to produce, store and maintain products at facilities where they sit until orders are received and shipped.
On-demand manufacturing or manufacturing on demand, is a method of producing goods only when needed and only in the amounts required. Transitioning to an on-demand manufacturing model gives companies more production flexibility and removes the costs that come with housing inventory. Those savings give organizations the capacity to create more specialized products to meet the specific demands of customers.
传统制造涉及以下方法：
- CNC（计算机数值控制）加工- 依靠使用预编程的计算机软件来决定不同工具（例如研磨机，路由器，磨坊和车床）的运动。它允许公司使用一组提示执行3D切割任务。
- Injection molding- 通过将塑料或熔融金属倒入模具中来创建产品和组件。材料冷却后，机器会弹出零件并重复过程。
- Plastic joining- 使用在半完整零件上固定，焊接和粘合键的技术来形成新的最终产品。
- Plastic forming- 将加热的塑料片放在模具上。然后，工人施加气压，并使用邮件插头将塑料塑造成所需的产品。
On-demand manufacturing leverages all of those methods, but can also utilize urethane casting or additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. Additive manufacturing is a production process that builds parts layer by layer using plastics, metals, and other composite materials.
What are Some Common Challenges in Traditional Manufacturing?
One of the most persistent issues of traditional manufacturing is trying to anticipate the wants and needs of customers. Forecasting demand is difficult, particularly for large companies trying to adjust to market conditions. Underestimating can lead to a supply shortage, while overshooting estimates leaves unsold products filling warehouses — and those mistakes are costly.
Other challenges business owners often face when using traditional manufacturing include:
- 依靠配置的供应链来处理来自较大公司的批量订单，而不是利基商业客户的较小订单
- Needing to enforce minimum order requirements to make money from an order
- 处理冗长的交货时间，可以推迟给客户运输
- Spending months designing, building, testing, approving, and manufacturing products
- 管理剩余产品并支付高费用将其存储在仓库中
Not having the ability to adapt and keep pace with market demand can crush already-thin profit margins for any company.
按需制造的优势
An on-demand manufacturing platform helps companies centralize the interactions between themselves and suppliers. Many use automated processes to handle routine tasks and improve efficiency, and customers can get a production price quote right after uploading a CAD model. There’s one point of contact to manage the production processes, which improves communication across the board.
传统制造业增加了开发和将新产品推向市场的成本。按需制造业的更大敏捷性为原始设备制造商（OEM）提供了一种途径，可以在其行业中脱颖而出。
按需制造服务提供了有关每个上传零件，访问供应商的访问以及围绕生产过程中发生的事情的透明度的快速反馈。供应链中每个点的所有信息（包括检查报告和订单发票）都将保存到云中，以便于访问。
Additional benefits from making the switch to on-demand manufacturing include:
快速原型制作
Prototypes made by a traditional manufacturer can cost a lot of money, and some may not be able to provide samples because their facilities are built for mass production. Going with an on-demand manufacturer makes prototyping easy and flexible, so companies can iterate on designs quickly before moving into production.
更快的引用
按需制造公司使用即时报价引擎来提供生产成本的前期估计。这些即时报价消除了传统制造过程中发生的来回，并带来了卓越的客户体验。
Early Market Testing
按需制造业的原型制作成本降低意味着公司可以在投资大量资金之前创建和测试小型生产以测试市场。
此外，没有按需过程的最低订单要求，因此企业和企业家可以创建一个原型或特定设计的少量样本，以衡量兴趣和市场契合，然后才能决定是否要继续概念。
Better Product Inventory Management
按需制造商的好处之一是，他们可以像仓库一样行事，并在买家的库存中管理成品。这使公司有能力生产一小块产品，从而减少了运输成本以将商品带入仓库。
The ability to have orders shipped directly from an on-demand manufacturer can also speed up the time it takes to get a product to a customer.
Quicker Lead Times
传统制造商的供应链交货时间可能长达十个月。由于按需制造是敏捷且可扩展的，因此制造商可以在更短的周转时间开发和生产产品。
减少供应链
The uncertainty of the last year had an enormous adverse impact on supply chains around the globe. But on-demand manufacturing gives businesses access to a reliable network of suppliers so they can shift production as needed to different parts of the world.
也不需要企业为每种新产品创建新的供应链，从而降低成本。
改善现金流
Eliminating the need to spend money on housing inventory frees up cash reserves for other important initiatives — like boosting marketing and sales to drive revenue growth.
On-demand manufacturing also facilitates more consistent margins because it’s easier for a business to accurately forecast profits. There’s a lower risk of a company ending up with a lot of unwanted inventory, forcing them to either mark down the costs or absorb the loss.
按需制造的局限性
While on-demand manufacturing is an opportunity to transform the supply-chain process across many industries, it also comes with some drawbacks. Companies should consider each carefully before deciding to use on-demand manufacturing.
Maintaining High Production Volume
按需制造业的好处之一是，公司无需携带大量股票，因为在需求变化时可以根据需要提高生产。但是，如果公司必须以一致的高量生产大量产品，他们可能会发现按需制造商无法满足生产要求。在这种情况下，企业最好投资于传统的制造模型。
Managing Frequent Design Changes
Companies with specific product requirements should have all their documentation in order up-front for an on-demand manufacturer. If a company’s design process is prone to mistakes, inconsistencies or changes, the ensuing back and forth with suppliers about changes often leads to budget overruns. If such a company decides to go with an on-demand manufacturer, they should choose one capable of helping with design issues and experience in dealing with changes.
控制供应链
Once a business decides to hire an on-demand manufacturer, that organization gives up control over the manufacturing process — which means they don’t know the production techniques or the skills and technology used in production. That makes it difficult for the business to discover and deal with production issues, unless it implements robust quality control processes throughout the production cycle to ensure they end up with a quality product.
Lack of Uniform Quality Standards
Businessesmust彻底研究马随需应变nufacturer before signing a contract. Companies should check out a manufacturer’s reputation within their industry, because quality standards can vary from one company to the next.
建议选择一家在整个供应链中明确定义标准的公司。他们应该采取步骤确保与制造合作伙伴合作时采用统一的方法，因为选择错误的提供商会导致处理延迟和有缺陷的产品。
Problems With Service Availability
借助按需制造，企业依赖供应商及时交付订单，因此，至关重要的是，提供商可以意外地扩大生产。否则，公司发现自己无法按时填写客户订单，因为供应商无法满足他们的需求。
Issues With Communication
The best on-demand providers have technology available that makes it easy for suppliers and buyers to communicate with each other. However, a lack of experience on the part of the manufacturer or misunderstandings of the scope of the project leads to issues:
- Manufacturers not giving a realistic timeline to cover product needs
- 不足的计划无法处理从客户到制造商的资源过渡
- Insufficient clarity around whether a manufacturer has the requisite capacity
- 制造商没有在内部团队成员中传达有关项目的关键细节，这导致延迟或生产问题
知识产权盗窃的风险
Working with an on-demand manufacturer means giving them proprietary information about a product. If the company doesn’t enforce standards to protect that data, a business could end up having its intellectual property stolen or leaked because of inadequate security controls.
企业应该了解on-de措施mand manufacturer takes to keep their data secure. There should be clear security protocols in place to track which people are involved in a project and what they do with any associated information.
用户体验的重要性
A quality on-demand manufacturing partner not only addresses the issues listed above, but also makes it easy for its customers to manage the production of customized parts. They provide an e-commerce experience that removes delays and makes ordering parts more efficient.虚构的platformhelps customers get products when they need them while avoiding issues tied to quality, cost, and speed of delivery.
Overview of the Fictiv Platform and Process
将一个想法变成可行的设计需要正确的技术。虚构的集中式平台配备了一个干净，直观，易于理解的接口。它提供即时报价并简化下放订单。
Customers start by creating an account and password and including the following details:
- First name
- 姓
- 电话号码
- 地点
- Work email
CAD模型上传
创建他们的帐户后，客户可以上传他们想获得报价的CAD文件。虚拟平台接受的最常见的文件格式在下面列出，但是您可以获得一个在此处完成可接受的虚拟文件格式的列表:
- .STEP
- .stl
- .SLDPRT
上传文件后，Fictiv的专有技术分析了潜在部分周围的几何形状，然后让客户配置设计的设计。
Part Configuration
要配置零件，客户首先选择配置选项，然后选择其所需的制造过程，其中包括：
- CNC加工按需
- 3-D打印
- Urethane Casting
- 铸造（需要手动干预引用）
- Injection Molding
选择过程后，接下来是材料选择。虚构为不同的金属，塑料和聚合物提供选项，但是如果提供的选项不足，客户可以输入替代的自定义材料选择。
With the process and material decided, it’s time to select a desired finish for the product. For CNC machining metal parts, options include:
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- Anodizing
- Zinc plating
- 粉末涂料
Next, customers can add additional requirements for any threaded holes that are part of their model by providing detailed information for each drilled hole in the design. If needed, customers can upload a技术图带有不同功能的公差要求的呼叫。如果客户没有技术图，他们可以自动从3D CAD文件中生成2D图。他们还可以用笔记或尺寸注释任何2D图纸。
After saving a configured part, users receive a quote with additional information, including:
- Quantity
- 单价
- Extended price (based on speed option)
但是，选择为其流程进行铸造的客户将无法在没有个人帮助的情况下生成自动报价。否则，自动报价手头，客户可以编辑不同的字段，例如以不同的生产速度在国内或海外获取按需零件 - 以查看这些变化如何影响报价。较短的交货时间增加了订单成本，而较长的交货时间通常会降低价格。
制造性设计（DFM）反馈
用户完成配置零件后，他们将从虚构平台接收自动化的DFM反馈，客户可以使用该信息进行必要的修改。DFM反馈包括有关设计材料厚度不符合行业标准的设计方面的警告。
结帐
对其报价进行最终调整后，将客户带到平台的结帐页面，并提示他们提供以下信息：
- Whether they’d like to have the order shipped, or pick it up
- Shipping address and preferences
- 支付信息
Additional Platform Features
After checking out, buyers can track the production status through the Orders page. The page lets customers see order status details like the shipping date and estimated date of delivery, and they will see a tracking number appear once an order is shipped. Users can also reorder previously created parts from this page.
Additionally, Fictive provides:
- 检查报告数据
- Part photos
- Access to drawings for ordered parts
- 团队共享设计和图纸的协作工作区
- 帮助中心
- beplay客户端下载能力知识中心
Get Started With On-Demand Manufacturing
Enterprises small and large can start moving toward the future by incorporating Fictiv’s digital manufacturing ecosystem into their production process. The company helps everyone, from small start-ups to large enterprises.
全球公司转向虚构3-D打印,CNC machining, and other on-demand services to add agility, remove risk from the supply chain process, and get their products to market faster.
Interested parties can contact Fictiv to get started using on-demand manufacturing services for their business.