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United Parcel Service to set up 3D print shop in Singapore by year's end

AMERICAN express giant United Parcel Service (UPS) plans to open a 3D print shop in Singapore by the end of this year, bringing "additive manufacturing" to the Asia-Pacific region.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is used to make three-dimensional objects under computer control that re-creates the desired object.

Futurologist Jeremy Rifkin, advisor to governments and lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, says 3D printing is the beginning of a third industrial revolution, succeeding the assembly line that dominated manufacturing for most of a century.

With its 3D printing operation, UPS also will establish an "advanced solutions team" in Asia to create a unit to develop supply chain solutions and promote wider application of the new technology.

Businesses can use the "Fast Radius On Demand Production Platform" to produce industrial parts, which are expedited for delivery via UPS's global and intra-Asia transport network.

"3D printing will have a significant impact on industrial manufacturing and 21st century supply chains," said UPS Asia-Pacific president Ross McCullough.

UPS announced the expansion during a press event that also was attended by representatives from the Singapore Economic Development Board, Fast Radius and German, Weinheim-based software multinational SAP.

In May, UPS and SAP announced a co-innovation agreement to collaborate on a solution that would integrate SAP's extended supply chain and internet of things solutions with the UPS additive manufacturing and logistics network.

Said UPS: "Companies that virtualise their inventories can not only save costs by reducing the number of parts made "just-in-case' but also can produce smaller quantities cost effectively and with the same quality, in addition to minimising lead-times because parts are produced closer to where they are needed."

Businesses of all sizes can use 3D printing to reduce inventory for slow-moving part, lower transport costs as goods travel digitally, produce cheaper and shorter production runs and customise goods in a more cost-effective manner, said the company statement.

Said UPS Hong Kong and Macau manager Steven Wong: "Our customers can produce industrial-quality parts along with prototypes in Asia, and have them delivered to major Asian cities within 24 hours."

Once the facility opens customers can place their 3D printing orders either via UPS's partner Fast Radius's website or by visiting the factory located at UPS House in Singapore.

Fast Radius will direct the order to the optimal manufacturing location either in Singapore or the US based on speed, geography and product quality requirements.

UPS can ship as early as the same day. In the US, the 3D printing network also includes more than 60 The UPS Store locations, providing multiple printing locations and geographic coverage.