Digital Source is designed to eliminate the need for physical inventory management, providing a cost-effective alternative for accessing critical components. The platform enables vendors to upload digital part designs, which can then be licensed to customers, distributors and contract manufacturers. Once uploaded, end-users of the platform gain the flexibility to license the right to print parts either onsite or through a network of approved print service providers, according to a company release.
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Key features of the digital source platform include:
- Integrated 3D printing software, materials and hardware
- End-to-end process control
- Vendors can specify and lock printing process requirements
- Robust security, safeguarding digital part files
- Encrypted print instructions to protect designs.
Enhancing Manufacturing Resiliency, Efficiency
According to Jeremy Haight, principal engineer at Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Digital Source offered the agility to print spare parts where needed, so the company could get its machinery up and running faster, minimizing downtime. “Time equals a very high dollar value for us,” he says. “A line down in one of our factories is a big deal but a turbine that has gone down can cost even more.” He says if they can access and print the part needed, the turbine can be up and operational much quicker.
Impact on Supply Chain Management
Digital Source unlocks a new way of managing supply chains, according to the press release. “Every day that a manufacturing line is down due to broken or worn parts can cost millions of dollars in lost productivity,” says Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged. “Availability of spare parts is critical to manufacturers’ success, but keeping an extensive physical inventory ties up capital in parts that may go untouched for years.”