How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry

Table 1

Comparison of the three channels. Data source: Shapeways (https://www.shapeways.com), Amazon (https://www.amazon.com), and Alibaba (https://www.alibaba.com).

Channel description	Single acquisition cost (US dollars)	Material cost (US dollars)	Initial machine cost (US dollars)	Quality	Delivery cost (US dollars)	Delivery time (days)	Production time (days)
Consumer (self-made)	Material cost + machine cost depreciation	2.55–3.75, (PLA/ABS filament)	700–1000, (desktop FDM printer)	Low	0	0	0.5–1
Customization from the platform	60	2.55–3.75, (PLA/ABS filament)	3000–7000, (industrial FDM printer and auxiliary equipment)	High	6 (by courier in the USA)	3 (by courier in the USA)	5
Buying from a shopping website	8 (retail in the USA) 2 (wholesale from China, excluding freight cost and tariffs)	0.15, (PLA/ABS particle)	5000–15000, (injection molding machine and auxiliary equipment)	High	6 (by courier in the USA) + 0.5 (shipping from China’s foundry to the USA)	3 (by courier in the USA) + 20 (shipping from China’s foundry to the USA)	25