HASBRO INC.

Three Dimensional Printing

Final Report
Cory Marino, Victor Ly, Christopher DeRoche, and Monica Martinez
11/24/2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content

Page

Introduction...1
Problem.1
Three dimensional printing overview...2
Advantages of three dimensional printing...3
Disadvantages.4
Glossary5

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure

Page
Figure 1.2
Figure 2.2
Figure 3.4

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Abstract
This report is to research compare the advantages and disadvantages of three dimensional
printing in the production of toys and to show the problems traditional production have. Can
three dimensional printing be a better option than conventional manufacturing method? Or is
production the way it is now the best option. It also shows what three dimensional printing is
most useful for and how it can be recommended to fix problems with traditional production.

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Introduction
The purpose of our research is to find out if three dimensional print should be
recommended as an option in the production of toys. Currently toys are massed
produced in Chinese factories overseas. Problems with this current system are cheap
toxic materials that are used which lead to recalls, labor rights laws in China, and the
overall price of manufacturing.

The Problem
The first problem with todays toy manufacturing in China is the cheap materials
used and the massive recalls from using cheap materials. Recently, Hasbro recalled
nine million toys due to defects and lead paint castings on the toys. This problem of
using cheaper material in Chinese factories will only increase due to the decline of
Chinas factory industry. The Chinese economy is in decline due to several other
countries (Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam) taking a lot of their manufacturing business.
Another problem with the current system is labor rights laws. These laws are in place to
keep the employee safe and in a good environment, but because of Chinas mentality to
keep their products safe, employees suffer. Whether its low pay or bad working
conditions the labor laws in Chinese factories are bad for business, which can lead to
the company whos partnered with these factories to fall. One way these factories can
be bad for business is through social media. The poor pay and work condition stories
can flood the internet and change peoples mind of the company. Finally, the price of
labor has doubled over the past seven years in China, which has created higher overall
cost for manufactures and shipping. Because of these problems, this research team has
looked to three dimensional printing as an answer to manufacturing problems.

Three Dimension Printing Overview

Three dimensional printers (an example of
one is show to the right in figure 1) are a reemerging innovation that first became visible
in the late 1980s (What is 3D Printing).
Instead of ink, 3D printers print with
materials. 3D printing starts with making a
virtual design of the object you want to
create (What is 3D Printing). Most 3D
printers create 3D objects by using whats
known as an additive process. In an additive
process an object is created by laying down
successive layers of material until the entire
object is created (What is 3D Printing). A
simple explanation of how 3D printing works
is shown in figure 2.

Figure 1

Figure 2 A quick overview of the design aspect of 3D printing

Advantages of Three Dimensional Printing

Customization
3D printing allows greater customization than any other manufacturing platform. The
nature of 3D printing means that numerous products can be manufactured at the same
time according to the end-users requirements at no additional process cost (Benefits
of 3D printing). If a little or big change is needed, the digital design can be easily
altered at any given time. This can also allow consumers to personalize a product to
their own specifications.

Rapid Prototyping
One of the biggest benefits is what 3D printing provides for prototyping. Prototyping is
still probably the largest, even though sometimes overlooked, application of 3D printing
today (Benefits of 3D printing). If a designer plans on creating a prototype to see
how their product turns out, they will no longer need to send their designs to a
manufacturer. As soon as they finish their design, they can get a prototype that same
day. Using 3D printers for prototyping is not only convenient, it can also save costs due
to the arduous process of prototyping.

Efficiency
3D printing provides an energy efficient way of mass producing products. 3-D printing,
according to the Department of Energy, can reduce energy costs by 50 percent and cut
material costs by 90 percent (Lacey, 3-D Printing and the Future of the Energy-Efficient
Economy). 3D printing can potentially lower manufacturing costs and 3D printing is
eco-friendly compared to conventional manufacturing.

Flexibility with Consumer Demand

Instead of mass producing a product in a factory, businesses can now produce a
product based on demand. Traditionally, businesses would rely on mass producing
their products, which could lead to an oversupply. With 3D printers, products are
produced on demand in the place where they are needed eliminating huge
inventories (Benefits of 3D printing). By using 3D printers, an excess supply of
products can be prevented.

Disadvantages of 3D printing
High Costs
The pre- and post-printing cost amount to a significant proportion of total cost per
printed part (The Limits of 3D Printing). The initial investment to start a 3D printing
plant would be enormous. Land would need to be bought or rented to house all the 3D
printers which are expensive as well (commercial 3D printers can range from the
thousands to tens of thousands of dollars). Even if all of these requirements are met,
traditional manufacturing is still less expensive due to mass production (3D opportunity
for product design).

Figure 3 Breakeven analysis of the costs of conventional manufacturing vs. additive manufacturing (3D

printing). Conventional manufacturing leads to a lower cost per unit if a high volume of units is produced.

Restricted Designs
3D printing is still advancing, so not all designs can be produced. 3D printing now and
for the foreseeable future make it an unfeasible way to produce the vast majority of
parts manufactured today (The Limits of 3D Printing). Until 3D printing advances,
there are still some products that can only be done by traditional supply chains.

Tech Knowledge Required

3D printers are complex and will require maintenance. It involves considerable
processing, which incur non-trivial labor costs (The Limits of 3D Printing). This will
raise costs since the company will need to hire people that can use the 3D printers.
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Conclusion
Three dimensional printing is another alternative for manufacturing products.
Depending on the product, 3D printing can easily manufacture product such as specialty
and customized products in bulk. Based on the research, 3D printing is more beneficial
for its prototyping capabilities and customization. Although 3D printing cannot be used
in overall bulk manufacturing at this time it still can be used to make customized and
specialty items. Our recommendation is to use 3D printing with Hasbros customization
and specialty items, but also to use 3D printing to slowly take our manufacturing
capabilities to the future and away from of traditional ways of manufacturing.
Businesses that do not innovate with technology and fine new ways to provide product
to their customers will fail. This research team believes 3D printing can give our
company an edge over future manufacturing.

Glossary
Accumulate- Gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of.
Combat- Take action to reduce, destroy, or prevent (something undesirable).
Depth- Extensive and detailed study or knowledge.
Domestic manufacturing-something produced or manufactured in ones own country.
Expertise- Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.
Impact- Have a strong effect on someone or something.
Innovation- A new method, idea, or product.
Layoff- A discharge, especially temporary, of a worker or workers.
Limit- A restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible.
Recalls- To bring back.
Sector- An area or portion that is distinct from others.
Three dimensional printing- A process for making a physical object from a threedimensional digital model, typically by laying down many successive thin layers of
material.
Viable- Capable of working successfully

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