Building an In-House 3D Print Studio for Early Phase Concept Development at Tapestry

Conference Abstract: Advocating for implementing Additive Manufacturing technologies for rapid prototyping in traditional industries can help organizations (1) enhance cross-functional collaboration, (2) shorten product development timelines, (3) reduced costs at various points along the product creation journey.

This abstract explores how traditional organizations can extract value and reduce costs from Additive Manufacturing technologies during the early phases of the product development cycle.

Enhanced Collaboration:
Incorporating rapid prototyping processes in-house facilitates collaboration between all stakeholders involved in bringing products to life. The technology helps bridge the communication gap between Designers, Product Developers, and a network of global Factories and place everyone on the same page.



Reduced Development Timelines:
Adoption of in-house AM has substantial implications on how quickly organizations can go-to-market and stay on top of everchanging trend cycles in the fashion industry. The ability to produce 1:1 look-alike mockups creates earlier alignment between designers and product developers and aids all stakeholders make more informed decisions more quickly. Additive Manufacturing technologies aid in removing ambiguity from the product design process allowing designers to reach their final vision with less iterations.

Reduced Costs:
Additive Manufacturing, leveraged at scale, has the potential to reduce cost associated with mold costs for design iterations, unexpected defects and functionality failures, misrepresentation of design intent, as well as freight and import taxes and tariffs.