UPS expands its on-demand 3D printing network to Asia

UPS will expand its on-demand 3D printing network to Asia when Fast Radius opens a factory in Singapore by the end of the year.

According to UPS, it will also set up a team in Asia to create a centre of excellence which will develop supply chain solutions and promote the use of 3D printing.

“3D printing will have a significant impact on industrial manufacturing and 21^st century supply chains,” said Ross McCullough, president of UPS Asia Pacific. “At UPS, we are embracing disruptive technologies and integrating them into our global logistics network. We believe that much like e-commerce digitized and transformed retail, 3D printing will have a similar impact on manufacturing.”

Advantage of 3D printing include lower inventory for slow-moving parts, lower transportation costs, shorter production runs and better customization.

“UPS’s 3D printing Centre of Excellence reinforces Singapore as an innovation-driven economy,” said Michelle Ho, managing director of UPS in Singapore. “Having Fast Radius’ factory connected to UPS’s network means customers can send their 3D printing orders by 5pm and have them delivered to their customers in most major Asian cities within 24 hours. The automotive, high-tech, aeronautic and aviation, healthcare and retail industries have a lot of opportunity to take advantage of this type of manufacturing.”

Fast Radius will direct 3D printing orders to the manufacturing location in either Singapore or the US, depending on speed, geography and product requirements, according to UPS.