3D and Globalization
3D printing is an advanced technology brings the human and the world into a new era, which can dramatically reduce the time and the cost we used to spend creating machines, objects and anything we want. The process of 3D printing is not complicated that object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. With the assistance of computer- aided design, the printer can produce the items with the minimum human resource and it is a efficient way to control the cost.
Before 3D printing, the world is round that there are geographic and cultural boundaries among us. People have to strive to overcome various difficulties to do business and spend a lot of energy and money on finding appropriate materials and the efficient ways to manufacture. With the emergence of 3D printing, everything becomes different. Now, the world seems to be flat for the interesting reason that the technology has been applied to make everything easy. The globalization has much to do with this magical technology, which greatly accelerates the pace of globalization. At the beginning of globalization, many developed countries moved their mass production lines to undeveloped or developing countries for the lower human and material cost, where will be the emerging markets. However, things began to change. The high transportation cost and increasing salaries urge the companies to move back to the home countries. 3D printing helps to do the large-scale production and facilitates the customization and localization. There is a lot of evidence that 3D printing technology will exert a far-reaching influence on the globalization.
Firstly, 3D printing can be used in massive production. The goods can be produced in large quantity and moreover, the customization can be easily achieved with a little change in the software. This provides the golden opportunities to the companies, whose products have tremendous demand. Secondly, the advanced technology enables the localized production, which eliminates the cost of transportation, including fuel and human resource.
3D Makeup Printer
Nowadays, there is a growing trend that people take their appearance seriously. In recent years, people spend more disposable money on makeup and skin care. The awareness accelerates the development of cosmetic industry, where diverse and innovation is required. Ladies are crazy about colorful lipsticks, eye shadow and creams. The competition is fierce and innovation of cosmetics is the key factors to hold the market share for people have the curiosity to try the new products and this is the nature of consumers. There is a common phenomenon that people desire to buy the hottest color lipsticks, however, due to the high demand the lipsticks are always out of stock. People are crazy and desperate to own the dream makeup. However, due to the financial crisis these years, the whole industry is influenced to some extent. People cannot afford high-end products, thus the low-end and DIY products enjoy the great popularity and become significant.
One young lady that graduated from Harvard University aims to change the situation. The 30 years old Grace opened her own company, which teach people how to produce the makeup at home and lead the cosmetic industry into a new era. That is really an innovative thinking that a home printer can be changed into a 3D printer, which enables you to produce eye shadow, lipstick and nail polisher.
Decade years ago, we witnessed that the emergence of 3D printed clothes, equipment and even food. In 2013, Grace Choi introduced her magical machine Mink to the world, which drew the world’s attention. The 3D printer allows the people choose their ideal color, such as the color from the magazines, their friends’ makeup color and whatever you like, and then use the software to finish the printing.
The process of printing makeup is easy. Firstly, the computer and the printer are well connected. Then consumers can choose one color from pictures and drag the color into the photo shop. Use the colorless material and then just press the print button. Within 30 seconds, you will own your favorite color makeup.
The Influence of 3D Printer in Cosmetic Industry
When 3D printing technology entered into cosmetic industry, people began to think whether the 3D printers will exert a negative influence on the industry for the technology enables people to produce makeup at home and will never spend more money buying the cosmetics. However, there are opportunities for the companies to develop in the cosmetic industry.
➢ Negative Influence
The initial idea that applying 3D printing technology to making cosmetics is that enabling people to produce makeup themselves with low price and great convenience. The inventor of 3D makeup printer said that everybody could be a designer and produces the makeup they really want. Meanwhile, producing makeup at home can save a lot money and energy, which is more environmental friendly. This will greatly reduce the consumers’ desire to purchase makeup and affect the cosmetic companies.
Besides that, cosmetic industry has much to do with the manufacturing. The new emerging technology totally reshapes the industry. The 3D printers allow people to make cosmetics at home, which change the manufacturer model to non-manufacturer model. This change will lead to a situation, where a lot of people may lose their jobs. Meanwhile, with the development of 3D printing technology applied in manufacturing, the industry itself has to transform to adjust the change.
➢ Positive Influence
Firstly, the 3D technology gives the cosmetics industry more opportunities. There is an increasing trend that anti-aging and anti-wrinkles products are more popular than before. And this high-tech product needs more high cost and rare raw materials. The key is to perfectly combine the technology and the raw material, which will be cost-efficient. Meanwhile, localization production is another positive impact of 3D printing. Large cosmetic companies used to open factories in different locations all over the world due to the raw material and this cost a lot of money. If the 3D printer can produce the same raw material, there is no need for companies to do large-scale production overseas, which greatly reduce the cost and improve the efficiency.
Another aspect of cosmetics is the package. Package cost a lot of materials and sometimes seems to be not eco-friendly. The use of 3D technology ensures a highly efficient manufacturing process, which involves the use of some recycled and eco-friendly materials. Thus, 3D printing is a totally green modern manufacturing way.
Business Model
➢ From 3D Printer Suppliers’ Perspective
There is no denying that there has a huge and emerging markets for 3D makeup printers who wants to design and produce makeup at home. Grace Choi estimated that the price of 3D printer is around 300 USD. With the development of the technology and the convenience, there will be huge demand of the printers. So what is the key of the 3D printer business?
The material of printer is the key factor, which is unique and will bring the profit to the printer supplier. Providing the basic printing material and the printers to the markets and making the consumers become the designers, which will bring them a lot of funny experience, are the characteristics of the business.
➢ From the Cosmetic Companies’ Perspective
Makeup manufacturers can take fully use of the 3D printing technology, which can save a lot of cost and energy for them. They can get more profit from the advanced manufacturing method. Human resource cost, material cost and plant cost will be greatly reduced and this change will lead to the new stage for the company. How to transform the company is the key problem for the managers to think. Moreover, how to keep the competitive advantage using 3D printing technology is another big questions for us.
Reference
1.http://www.justluxe.com/community/the-effect-of-3d-printing-on-the-fashion--cosmetics-industri_a_1914937.php, May 8, 2013, The Effect of 3D Printing On the Fashion and Cosmetics Industry.
2. Brittany Waterson, http://www.brandchannel.com/2015/04/10/3d-makeup-printer/, April 10, 2015, Face of Future:5 Qustions on the MODA 3D Makeup Printer.
3.http://kierandesmond.me/2015/01/05/3d-technologies-3d-printing-and-scanning-in-cork/, JANUARY 5, 2015, 3D TECHNOLOGY AND ITS GLOBAL INFLUENCE.
Reference
1.http://www.justluxe.com/community/the-effect-of-3d-printing-on-the-fashion--cosmetics-industri_a_1914937.php, May 8, 2013, The Effect of 3D Printing On the Fashion and Cosmetics Industry.
2. Brittany Waterson, http://www.brandchannel.com/2015/04/10/3d-makeup-printer/, April 10, 2015, Face of Future:5 Qustions on the MODA 3D Makeup Printer.
3.http://kierandesmond.me/2015/01/05/3d-technologies-3d-printing-and-scanning-in-cork/, JANUARY 5, 2015, 3D TECHNOLOGY AND ITS GLOBAL INFLUENCE.
