I’ve written extensively in the past few years on additive manufacturing, often suggesting that additive will spread partly because companies will produce more at home rather than rely on slow global supply chains . By using smaller, flexible additive factories close to customers, companies can offer products better suited to individual markets. They can also respond much more quickly to customer trends.

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With recent news that COVID-19 is spreading beyond China, it’s natural to wonder if the epidemic will convince many Western companies to increase their reliance on 3D printing.

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Global supply chains are in disarray with the lengthy closures of thousands of Asian factories. Additive factories, which can make a variety of goods from only a few raw materials, don’t have to worry about supply disruptions as long as they keep a large supply of those materials. It’s possible that the virus will make global supply chains look […]

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