Demand classification for spare parts supply chains in the presence of three dimensional printers

Abstract

Three-dimensional printers (3DPs) are currently the source of the supply chain and are used to ensure spare parts supply in case of shortages. However, the reliability of the part produced in 3DP is lower than the original part supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Failure of parts creates demand and the failure probability of original and printed part is different than each other. Thus, knowing the total demand distribution have great importance in optimizing the order quantity given to the OEM in the presence of 3DPs. In this study, the demand distribution of system failures has been determined by using the distribution classification methods put forward by Ord (1967) and Adan et al. (1995). In line with the results, according to study of Ord(1967), demand distribution is found as Hypergeometric and Binomial distribution. Discrete distribution family of Adan et al. (1995) gives Binomial distribution for the system demand. All results are tested with chi-square test and likelihood ratio test.