Additive Manufacturing of Slow-Moving Automotive Spare Parts: A Supply Chain Cost Assessment
Journal article, 2023

This study develops a cost model for the additive manufacturing (AM)-produced spare parts supply chain in the automotive industry. Moreover, we evaluate the economic feasibility of AM for slow-moving automotive spare parts by comparing the costs of the traditional manufacturing (TM) spare parts supply chain (SPSC) with centralized, outsourced AM SPSC. Data from a multiple case study of an OEM in the automotive industry regarding SPSC is utilized. The supply chain costs of 14 individual spare parts were analyzed, and the total SPSC cost for the AM and TM, were compared. Three of the fourteen parts showed potential for cost-savings, if they were produced with AM instead of TM. In this context, AM polymer parts showed greater potential than metal to replace TM as the more economical option of manufacturing from a total supply chain cost perspective. This study shows that the AM competitiveness to TM, from a financial perspective, increases for spare parts with low demand, high minimum order quantity, and high TM production price. The SPSC cost model included: cost of production, transport, warehousing, and service costs. This study contributes to the emerging field of part identification for AM and the existing literature regarding cost modeling in SPSCs.

part identification for AM

additive manufacturing

slow-moving spare parts

spare parts supply chain

cost assessment

automotive industry

Author

Levin Ahlsell

Student at Chalmers

Didar Jalal

Student at Chalmers

Siavash Khajavi

Aalto University

Patrik Jonsson

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Supply and Operations Management

Jan Holmström

Aalto University

Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing

25044494 (eISSN)

Vol. 7 1 8

Subject Categories

Other Mechanical Engineering

Transport Systems and Logistics

Economics

Areas of Advance

Transport

Production

DOI

10.3390/jmmp7010008

More information

Latest update

7/25/2024