Supply chain operations reference model for U.S. based powder bed metal additive manufacturing processes

Abstract

This paper focuses on modeling the supply chain of an additively manufactured, uniquely customized Total Hip Replacement implant. It explores how the supply chain could be modeled for hip components which are customized for individual patients and produced using additive manufacturing processes. The concept of the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model is used to create a formal model of this system. The SCOR model is used to compare the traditional and the AM supply chain on the basis of different performance metrics. The formal supply chain model is used to extract operational activities so that a computer simulation model of the system can be developed. The simulation is used to model system performance so that bottleneck operations can be identified and source needs determined along with a sensitivity analysis to analyze how change in times and resources affect production quantities.