3D printing for industrial operations: The impact on digital strategies

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Morgan Eldred

Digital Energy, UAE

: Biomater Med Appl

Abstract

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3D printing maximizes the potential of industrial operations that operate on a massive scale by reducing prototyping lead times and cost. It therefore comes as little surprise to learn that use cases for 3D printing within industrial operations for energy and construction industry are rapidly increasing. Gartner predicted that by 2019, 10 percent of all O&G, as well as oilfield service, companies would be using 3D printers for the production of parts and equipment used within operations. While 3D printing technology is not yet ready to replace large-scale industrial fabrication of equipment, it does offer value-add potential in the near and long terms. For the nearterm, 3D printing offers value by significantly reducing the time required for rapidly building 3D scaled models of construction projects; or for prototyping, producing, reworking and redesigning physical components. Longer term, 3D printing is positioned to play a key role within industrial operations supply chain’s by transforming how components of a wide range of equipment are produced. The use of 3D printing will create significant value, particularly in locations where the supply of ordinary parts is limited, or where shipping and customs clearance for parts are likely to cause time delays. The longer term benefits of 3D printing cannot be achieved easily, as they will require significant security best practices and IT architectures to address issues such as preventing IP theft, counterfeiting, ensuring the quality, durability and performance of 3D-printed parts.

Biography

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Morgan Eldred is passionate in managing partner of Digital Energy, a firm Specializing on digital advisory for the energy industry. Previously he worked as an oil and gas research director, in IT strategy development, transformational program delivery, and the interface between it and the business. Eldred specializes in advising clients on digital visioning, digital oil field and field worker of the future strategies. He holds a legal law masters-IT law from University of Edinburgh, and M.Sc in Strategic Business IT in University of Portsmouth.

E-mail: morgan@digitalenergy.me