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COVID-19: Ivaldi’s Nora Toure on 3D Printing and the Supply Chain

Last year, Nora Toure made a very interesting talk on the impact of 3D printing on the global supply chain. The topic was a prescient one, given the events to come in 2020. In turn, I have interviewed Toure about how the topic has evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a year since you last gave your talk on how 3D printing will disrupt the global supply chain. Can you give a review of the supply chain and 3D printing between that talk and now?

A lot has happened since then, as far as implementing Ivaldi Group’s distributed manufacturing solution! Since my TEDx talk on disrupting supply chains with additive manufacturing, we’ve delivered the world’s first maritime spare parts on merchant vessels, we continued digitizing, optimizing and reviewing performance of thousands of spare parts, not only in maritime, but also in automotive, construction and mining.

The world’s first 3D-printed scupper plug.

I believe the adoption of additive manufacturing in supply chains optimization will be boosted in the next few months as heavy industries will go back to business and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential of additive manufacturing goes beyond technical comparison between materials and manufacturing process. Shipping, warehousing, procurement, CO2 emissions, downtime are all savings that need to be taken into account when comparing current supply chain models to distributed manufacturing enhanced supply chains.

A closer look at the first 3D-printed scupper plug.

We have experienced COVID-19 the world over and it has almost completely changed the way we have been doing things. Have you noticed an impact on 3D printing in the global supply chain, particular as a disruptive technology?

As much as I’d rather COVID-19 wasn’t our new reality, I have to admit I’ve been impressed by our additive manufacturing community. It’s fantastic to see how we’ve organized ourselves in such a short amount of time. What strikes me the most is how fast individuals, but also companies of various sizes organize themselves and build their own supply chains, from designing and testing, producing, sanitizing and getting the PPE to the hospitals.

I see disruption of supply chains on two levels:

Simplification of supply chains, with a more limited number of intermediaries and a collaborative approach in product sourcing and design are leading to efficient supply chains, even when triggered by individuals,
Removing shipping from supply chains and focusing on sending files rather than physical products is not only fastening the entire process and saving on CO2 emissions, it’s also now proven that it’s improving efficiency all over

Interestingly, you are the founder and president of Women in 3D Printing. What role is your organization playing in 3D printing in the global supply chain, if any?

Since we do not provide parts nor any technology service, it was a bit challenging to see how we could contribute in manufacturing [personal protection equipment]. I was involved on a personal level in some local initiatives, but I wanted to keep Wi3DP agnostic because, again, we don’t have a full-time team nor employees we could dedicate to any project.

That being said, being a large community, we get information. So, our contribution has been to provide a directory of those 3D printing responses.

But I have to say, I am impressed with the work our ambassadors have done during this time, as many of them have been involved with local 3D printing responses to COVID-19.

How do you view the impact of 3D printing in the supply chain for developing nations, particularly in Africa?

Wherever supply chains aren’t fully developed and established, I believe there is an opportunity to adopt distributed manufacturing solutions sooner and implement those strategies faster.

Organizations such as 3DAfrica are doing a great job at enabling local businesses adopting 3D printing. This could be taken a step further with corporates adopting the technology as well.

Role of Additive Manufacturing in Supply Chain courtesy of Croftam UK.

What is your financial outlook for 3D printing in the supply chain in the next five years, especially after the effects of COVID-19. Do you see a rise in financial growth for 3D printing services in the supply chain or a drop?

The savings enabled by on-demand distributed manufacturing, enabled by 3D printing services, are so big and are impacting, from a financial point of view, more than unit parts cost comparison. The impact is the entire supply chain—on warehousing, shipping, delivery etc.—that it just makes sense to switch some of the traditionally sourced spare parts to additive manufacturing.

The post COVID-19: Ivaldi’s Nora Toure on 3D Printing and the Supply Chain appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

6 strategic maritime customers benefit from Wilhelmsen and Ivaldi 3D printing on demand

The Marine Products division of global maritime industry group Wilhelmsen has launched a program to supply 3D printed spare parts on demand to ships and other vessels. Part of an ongoing collaboration with advanced and additive manufacturing service bureau Ivaldi Group, the service is exclusively open to a group of six early-adopters. Advantages promoted by the program […]

3D Printing News Briefs: April 21, 2019

We’re beginning with an aerospace 3D printing story in 3D Printing News Briefs today, then moving on to news about some upcoming industry events and finishing with a little business. Launcher tested its 3D printed rocket engine on an important date in history. DuPont will be introducing new semi-crystalline 3D printing products at RAPID + TCT, and Nanofabrica has offered to 3D print micro parts at no cost for interested companies attending the annual euspen conference. Ira Green Inc. used Rize technology to transform its production process, GOM is now part of the Zeiss Group, and the Ivaldi Group received its ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Launcher Tests 3D Printed Rocket Engine

New York startup Launcher, which uses EOS technology to create 3D printed components for metal rocket engines, has completed many firing tests with these parts over the last year and a half. Recently, on the anniversary of the date the first human left Earth to go into space, the startup announced the results of the latest test.

Launcher’s founder and CEO Max Haot posted on his LinkedIn account that the E-1 copper bi-metal rocket engine, which was 3D printed on the EOS M290, broke the startup’s combustion pressure record at 625 psi, mr 2.5. It will be interesting to see how the engine performs on its next test.

DuPont to Introduce New Semi-Crystalline Materials

At next month’s RAPID + TCT in Detroit, DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers (T&AP), a DowDuPont Specialty Products Division business, will be launching an expansion to its 3D printing portfolio: advanced, high-performance semi-crystalline materials, which will give customers more manufacturing agility and open new opportunities to lower costs while increasing production.

Jennifer L. Thompson, Ph.D., R&D programs manager for DuPont T&AP, will be presenting a technical paper about the materials during the event as part of the Material Development and Characterization session. During her presentation at 10:15 am on May 23rd, Thompson will discuss alternative 3D printing methods, like pellet extrusion modeling, in addition to highlighting new engineering materials and talking about tailored material testing programs. Thompson and other DuPont employees will be at DuPont T&AP’s booth #552 at RAPID to answer questions about the company’s 3D printing materials.

Nanofabrica Offers Free 3D Printing Services for euspen Attendees

Last month, Israeli 3D printing startup Nanofabrica announced the commercial launch of its micro resolution 3D printing platform. In order to show off the system’s abilities to potential customers, Nanofabrica has made an enticing offer to attendees at next month’s euspen conference and exhibition in Spain: the startup will print parts for interested companies at no charge. Then, the parts printed on the new micro AM platform will be presented to them at the event, which focuses on the latest technological developments that are growing innovation at the micron and sub-micron levels.

“It’s quite simple really. We believe that the best way to prove what our AM system can do, how high the resolution and accuracy of the parts we make are, is to manufacture parts for attendees,” Jon Donner, the CEO of Nanofabrica explained. “Registered attendees are welcome to send us their files, and we will examine and print them. That is how confident we are that you will be amazed by the capabilities of our system, and this we feel will mean that we can forge meaningful relationships with manufacturers that will endure into the future.”

Rize 3D Printing Transformed Company’s Production Process

Rhode Island-based IRA Green Inc. (IGI), a full-service manufacturer and distributor of unique uniform items earned and worn by military personnel around the world, recently turned to RIZE and its 3D printing capabilities in order to manufacture small fixtures for its tool shop. The company’s products are in high demand, but lead times were growing longer due to bottlenecks and 8 hours of work for each $300 fixture. Precision is also important for these parts, which is why IGI decided to turn to the RIZE ONE hybrid 3D printer. According to a new case study, IGI’s design team uses the printer every day to manufacture accurate fixtures in just 50 minutes for $2.00 a part. Using the RIZE ONE, which has the unique capability of adding ink markings to parts for verification, the company has been able to standardize its nails and molds, which helped lead to an ROI in less than five months.

IGI’s Manufacturing Manager, Bill Yehle said, “Implementing RIZE 3D printing as part of a strategic process shift has completely transformed our production process.

“We have realized an 80% time savings in setup and changeover alone using RIZE and virtually eliminated errors.”

ZEISS Group Acquires GOM

In an effort to expand its industrial metrology and quality assurance portfolio, the ZEISS Group, a technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics fields, has acquired GOM, which provides hardware and software for automated 3D coordinate measuring technology. By combining GOM’s optical 3D measuring technology with its own products, ZEISS could expand market access, and create new opportunities, for its Industrial Quality & Research segment. Once the transaction is complete, which should happen soon, GOM will become part of this ZEISS segment, while the legal form of its companies in Germany and elsewhere will stay the same. The financial details of the transaction will not be discussed publicly.

“Our growth strategy expressly mentions the targeted acquisition of highly innovative solutions, technologies and companies, which can reach their full potential as part of the ZEISS Group. By acquiring GOM and thereby expanding our solutions portfolio, we are bolstering the leading position of our Industrial Quality & Research segment and will be able to offer even better solutions for our customers. This is entirely in keeping with our corporate strategy, which is focused on our customers’ success,” said Dr. Michael Kaschke, President & CEO of ZEISS.

Ivaldi Group Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification

California startup Ivaldi Group, which uses 3D printing and metal fabrication solutions to provide in-port parts on-demand services for the maritime, mining, offshore, and construction industries has become ISO 9001:2015 certified in less than ten months. This standard, which is certifies quality managements systems that focus on customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and active involvement of employees and management in a process-based approach, is the first step in the certification process that’s required to certify specific products. This proves Ivaldi’s commitment to constantly improving itself.

“Certifying our quality management system has helped us to structure our processes to create a solid foundation. This will allow us to improve efficiency, productivity, and traceability,” said Anna D’Alessio, Quality Management Specialist of Ivaldi Group. “Global quality management systems are important to align processes and optimize operations across facilities. This certification proves our commitment to meet requirements of stakeholders affected by our work.”

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Ivaldi Group takes first step toward 3D printed product-specific certification

On demand advanced manufacturer Ivaldi Group has attained internationally renowned ISO 9001:2015 quality certification for its manufacturing capabilities. Providing 3D printing, and now metal fabrication, as a service, Ivaldi Group’s goal is to deliver spare parts within 24 hours to clients in construction, maritime and offshore industries. With this new approval, the service provider has proven […]

Ivaldi Group and Wilhelmsen Collaborate on On Demand 3D Printing of Marine Parts

Ivaldi Group is a specialized company that wishes to bring 3D printing to the marine and offshore industries. By leveraging 3D printing the company hopes to repair, retrofit and extend marine vessels, pipelines and offshore installations. The company wishes to digitize spare parts and extend its reach across offshore and marine worldwide. Offshore and marine are often tightly regulated industries where one needs deep pockets and experience to subsist and thrive. In order to help Ivaldi navigate the offshore and marine industries, Wilhelmsen has partnered with the company. Wilhelmsen is a truly international marine giant offering repair and refurb services in 2000 ports. The company offers spare parts and consumables from anything from rope to chemicals. Wilhelmsen is kind of a UPS/Amazon of maintenance and repair materrials for ships underway. They could provide Ivalvi with many connections, clients and collaborative options globally. Wilhelmsen mentions their partnership here.

Concretely Ivaldi will be putting a 3D printing facility inside the Wilhelmsen Ships Service’ facilities in Singapore. This facility will supply a limited number of partners with 3D printed parts.

Kjell Andre Engen, Executive Vice President of Marine Products, Wilhelmsen Ships Service says,

“Looking at the costs associated with our marine products sales, the supply chain costs are
frequently at least as large as the Cost of Goods Sold. Additive manufacturing with a
technology partner like Ivaldi will enable us to reduce costs and environmental footprint while
also increasing our service capabilities to serve our customers”.

Sim Teck Siang, Procurement Manager, Berge Bulk a Wihelmsen customer and a member of the pilot project said:

“Long lead times, limited parts availability and extensive logistics are some of the challenges faced by
the maritime industry. Operating and managing over 50 vessels, we require marine parts to be
delivered to our vessels efficiently and in a short amount of time. The advancement of 3D
printing technology, and its capabilities of using a diverse range of materials to produce the
parts we require, is impressive. We look forward to explore 3D printing’s increasing versatility in
the customisation of design and production of parts on demand via this programme.”

Espen Sivertsen, CEO of Ivaldi Group stated that

“Ivaldi Group is working with stakeholders in the industry, from OEMs to vessels and their
crews, to be able to revolutionize the marine parts’ supply chain. Using the Ivaldi Group system
to provide cost-efficiencies and pairing that with Wilhelmsen’s global network and maritime
expertise, we can better resolve the pain-points that customers face today. As an example,
instead of having to buy a new welding mask because of a broken clip, a new clip was printed
for one-tenth of the price. It was also delivered within 24 hours as opposed to having to wait the
3-4 weeks it would otherwise take to ship to the customer.”

The opportunity in any kind of specialized Maintenance Repair and Operations arena is large for 3D printing. Millions of parts are still flown and transported around the world and a ship at a standstill can cost thousands per hour or day. The sheer amount of technical parts on board a ship mean that any kind of incremental improvement to the availability of said parts globally would offer benefits to participating companies. Especially for Directed Energy Deposition technologies, MRO could provide for excellent opportunities. Parts could be added to and rejuvenated with DED and CNC. The path will not be an easy one with huge amounts of capital required for such a venture. Furthermore, certification in and of itself would be important. Insurers will have to agree to the technology choices and materials as well as the procedures as they play an outsized role in the industry. Specialized oil companies such as Schlumberger and oil giants like Shell will certainly be interested in Ivaldi and the goings on around the company, they could either take an interest in buying them or doing something similar themselves. Additionally, all parties in this demanding industry will be hypercritical of the real-life long-term performance of 3D printed parts for marine and offshore. I believe Ivaldi to be a brilliant play and we are likely to see many more specialized companies such as this one emerge.