Additive Manufacturing Enabled Supply Chain in Combating COVID-19

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a method in which three-dimensional structures are successively laid down to create a solid object. The inherent advantages of AM technology are successfully drafted and exploited by the different organization across the globe. During the time of pandemic i.e. COVID-19, 3D printing has come to rescue and has been used for manufacturing critical medical supplies. 3D printing has been used in manufacturing some of the critical items like ventilators valves, face shields, swabs, oxygen valves, hand sanitizer holders, 3-DP lung models, etc. The main reason for its success has been the ability of 3D printing to print locally by using digital designs and thus reducing the number of supply chain actors. Also, the ability of 3D printing to manufacture/print complex geometrical designs locally is the main reason for its successful adoption during COVID-19. In this paper, we have discussed how AM has come to the forefront in fighting this pandemic. Various AM techniques have played a critical role in bridging the supply chain gap in the medical industry and locally printing critical devices. There were certain apprehensions before the pandemic along with slow adoption but this pandemic has also increased the adoption of AM due to its ability to overcome the demand created by COVID-19.

The role of cloud computing technology: A savior to fight the lockdown in COVID 19 crisis, the benefits, characteristics and applications

“…In the current COVID-19 pandemic condition, cloud computing services may be readily deployed and exploited, allowing facilities such as data management, recording information, and so on to become more productive [ 16 ].…”

“…Cloud clients are software/computer setups that are designed primarily to use cloud services, whereas cloud services are solutions, products, and services that are used for real-time delivery. Cloud apps are used in cloud software architecture so that medical staff may access shared data; nevertheless, a cloud platform is a type of service that includes software infrastructure and services [ 16 , 17 ]. All records, patient shareable reports, information, and other data are stored in the cloud, and cloud infrastructure is the provision of computing infrastructure as a facility/service in the domain of interest.…”

Additive manufacturing towards product production: a bibliometric analysis

“…It is worth mentioning that, AM technology is a powerful tool that is currently used to provide customized medical equipment to fight the covid-19 pandemic [17]. Due to its freedom of design, it is used to improvised many medical devices as covid-19 has disrupted the supply chain around the globe [18]. Using 3D printing technology currently to provide tailored medical equipment for specific clinical applications has demonstrated the superior manufacturing capabilities of AM technology as compared to the conventional methods of manufacturing.…”

Blockchain-Based Decentralized Digital Manufacturing and Supply for COVID-19 Medical Devices and Supplies

“…In [12] , the authors highlighted how the pandemic raised the use of AM because of its flexibility and capability to fulfill the growing demand. They also explain the importance of shifting toward a digital supply chain during a similar crisis.…”