Additive manufacturing for customized hearing aid parts production: an empirical study

The recent supply chain networks that utilize traditional manufacturing processes in their flow are hereafter referred to as Traditional Supply Chain Networks (TSCN). In fact, these TSCNs achieve a fair degree of customization through parts standardization in parts and product range with available specific customized parts. Yet, true customization remains unattainable in TSCNs, at least in terms of economy of scale. 3D printing integration in supply chains can make them truly agile by offering product customizations only on necessity, thereby eliminating the need for producing unwanted parts. The proposed research study investigates the logistical implications of integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the healthcare industry supply chain, and examines the impacts and subsequent results obtained by simulation analysis. The resultant supply chain is referred to as 3DPSCN (3D Printing integrated Supply Chain Network). Simulation models of the related healthcare supply chains, both Traditional (TSCN) and 3D printing integrated (3DPSCN), are developed using data gathered from available resources and real-time observations. Ultimately, a comparative study is done by simulation analysis. The main contribution of this paper is to propose of an optimized supply chain simulation model that incorporates AM in the manufacturing of a hearing aid prosthetic. The results of the analysis elaborate the benefits obtainable such as lead-time reduction, waste reduction, and number of customers served.