As the technology of 3-D printing progresses the number of
ideas on how to use these new devices grows exponentially. Just recently we saw a 3-D printer delivered
to the International Space Station. Yes, the idea of printing
tools on demand in space will soon be a reality. Supply Chain design impact will take the form
of a shift to forecasting need driving creation of 3-D print item files vs
actual inventories of Stock Keeping Units in the right place at the right time.
The idea of material items being realized at the time of
need has been an idea only realized in Science Fiction since the replicator in
the Star Ship Enterprise. Remember the
food replicators and Captain Pilchards Earl Gray Tea?
Today we are seeing the emergence of 3-D
Printer technology and where it stops, no one can say. In this new reality as long as there are
materials and compatibility between the technology and the materials needed,
the only remaining element required is the program file, or one could say, “The
idea.”
I see a metaphorical resemblance between 3-D Printers and
the Cosmos. Everything that we can see
and touch in the Cosmos is the product of a similar set of circumstances. The difference is, the Cosmos has no time
limitation. The Cosmos’ 3-D Printer can
take all the time it needs. In this
mental model of the Cosmos the ideas already exist in the form of possibilities
that simply wait for the materials and compatibility conditions to become
present. The old adage “If it can
happen, it will” applies. We just need to add, “as soon as it can.”
In our lifetime we only see a glimpse of the magnificent
process that is literally taking place before our eyes. For example, we can only imagine the
collision that will take place between Andromeda and the Milky Way galaxies. We will not see it happen.
Nature shows us many examples of this time frame limitation phenomenon. E.g. Dragonflies only live a few hours but,
play a part in the big picture. We live
longer but are here through the same process and also have a time frame limited
impact.
In summary, I see us all as being a part of a Perfect Supply
Chain. We can ask the question, are we
an idea, a material or a finished product?
The answer is not important. What
is important is the fact that we are one of God’s possibilities and I am sure that
he will use us in his plan, “as soon as He can!”
