We’re excited to share recent progress on contracting in distributed manufacturing. Our work aims to create innovative tools and systems that make it easier for buyers, makers, and intermediaries to collaborate and address local needs through local solutions.
Here’s what we’ve been working on:
- Understanding the Roles: Research by @AnnaSera mapped out the key roles in distributed manufacturing (demand side, intermediary, supply side, and independent roles) and highlighted how these differ from centralized manufacturing.
- Building a Prototype: We developed a system prototype to simplify contracting for distributed manufacturing. This tool allows buyers to manage orders across multiple manufacturers using a single interface, automating workflows to ensure clarity and accountability for everyone involved.
- Testing and Feedback: During the mAkE Virtual Trials, we tested this prototype and gathered feedback on quality assurance, collaboration, and resource management. These trials emphasized the value of clear workflows, shared frameworks, and automation in building trust and efficiency.
What’s Next?
Based on what we’ve learned, we’re exploring:
- A catalogue of contracting scenarios to help others understand distributed manufacturing processes.
- An AI-powered tool to create contracts tailored to distributed workflows.
- A library of customizable contractual clauses for different jurisdictions.
Recent Report Published 
We’ve recently published a detailed report summarizing this work and our findings! Dive in to learn more about the potential of distributed manufacturing and the tools we’re building to support it.
Join Us!
Your ideas can shape the future! Visit the IoP Community Forum to:
- Share your feedback.
- Explore ideas for expanding this work.
- Access our newly published report.
Join the Discussion and Read the Report Here! - by @max_w & @Jessicang