UPS, SAP Aim For End-To-End 3D Printing Service

UPS and SAP last week announced plans to enable companies to seamlessly order, produce and ship 3D-printed parts at the touch of a button.

The parcel delivery giant, an investor in Fast Radius' 3D printing service, will enable customers to order parts from the Fast Radius website.

The orders would then be sent either to Fast Radius' Louisville factory or to one of more than 60 Fast Radius 3D printing stations at The UPS Store locations nationwide. Finished orders could then be shipped as soon as the same day through UPS' logistics network.

Meanwhile, UPS and SAP will incorporate the latter's supply chain software to allow SAP customers to simplify parts approval processes and track orders of 3D-printed parts.

The companies, who made the announcement at the Sapphire Now conference in Orlando, said that the initiative would enable business of all sizes to take advantage of the convenience and cost benefits of 3D printing.

“By bringing together the on-demand manufacturing and logistics expertise of UPS and the extended supply chain leadership of SAP, we can enable direct digital manufacturing and an on-demand industrial manufacturing network that connects from manufacturing floor to the customer door," SAP executive board member Bernd Leukert said in a statement.