Can 3D Printing address operations challenges in Disaster Management?

Abstract

Disaster management entails activities for responding to and recovering from disruption to normal conditions. Disasters restrict the ability of operations managers, but technologies such as 3D printing have been proposed as a means of overcoming some of the restrictions. This research uses a state-of-the-art review of 3D printing technologies to determine the current and future potential to meet disaster management challenges. Specifically, one of the main categories of items listed in the Sphere Project handbook is considered. The analysis evaluates short, medium and long term feasibility and provides a research agenda for 3D printing and disaster management.