See 3-D Printing in Action

This is really a news report on a Minnesota-based plan to put 3-D printers in every school, allowing students to engage this cutting-edge technology while building more interest in the new trends in manufacturing.

3-D printing is really “3-D Building,” as these printers 'build' objects from scanned blueprints.

Click the image above to see it in action (courtesy WCCO in Minneapolis).

Innovation Wins at Manufacturing Awards

Innovation is alive and well in small-town manufacturers. Last week, the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce held its 15th annual Manufacturing Awards of Distinction, and the spotlight was on smaller town companies with big success stories.

Companies honored included Ariens in Brillion, Precision Machine Co. in Algoma, N.E.W. Plastics of Luxemburg, Lindquist Machine in Ashwaubenon and The Solberg Co. in Howard. Keynote speaker, Jim Feeney (president and CEO of Wisconsin Film & Bag, Shawano), praised their ability to innovate with new products and processes.

“Innovation is not about what we know, it’s about what we don’t know,” Feeney said. “Small and medium-sized businesses must take those risks.”

Gov. Scott Walker also spoke, pointing out that Wisconsin is the second-largest manufacturing state in the country and is in the top five states creating new manufacturing jobs.

Read the complete Manufacturing Awards of Distinction summary here.

New Mfg Tax Credits

Everybody wants tax credits…something harder to come by these days. In Wisconsin, however, the Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit is being called “one of the most robust credits of its kind,” and begins with tax year 2013.

Recently, Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Chandler said there are a number of other incentives, too, including property and sales tax exemptions for machinery and equipment.

Find more details in this article from Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Wal-Mart: Engineers Needed for Manufacturing Resurgence

We all know about the shortage of skilled workers for key positions on the manufacturing floor. But here’s another that is quickly rising up the list.

At a recent manufacturing summit, Wal-Mart President and CEO, Mike Duke, addressed the dramatic drop in students with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills and the effect its having on the industry. He told an Orlando audience “we need more science and more engineers to help us build the foundation for a manufacturing resurgence.”

While Wal-Mart is known for their offshore buying, Duke has been outspoken on issues like this, which he considers to be of "national significance" for all business.

Read more about his comments here

Manufacturers Know How to Throw a Party

Friday, October 4th is “Manufacturing Day.”

It started out a few years ago with a few companies holding special “open houses.” This year, it has grown to more than 500 companies hosting tours and working with schools to show the critical nature of manufacturing in our economy, and the opportunities for both hands-on and high tech careers.

The site mfgday.com has a searchable map of participating companies and their events

In Wisconsin, Governor Walker has proclaimed October “Manufacturing Month”

Manufacturing Month happens in concert with Manufacturing Day on October 4th, a nationally recognized day sponsored by the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Association of Manufacturers, and Fabricators & Manufacturers Association.

In Minnesota, the Statewide Tour of Manufacturing happens October 24 – 26th.

Details, including participating manufacturers and events are posted on Minneosta's “Dream It, Do It” website

In Illinois, the Illinois Manufacturing Improvement Specialists has a list of participating manufacturers, events and dates. Find out more here.

More on 3-D Printing

3-D printing is quickly emerging as the next great disruptive technology for consumers and businesses across the globe.

In ‘3-D Printing,’ a devices manufactures, or ‘prints’ objects from the bottom up, one ultra-thin layer of material at a time. In the article “3-D Printing: The Next Disruptive Technology,” recent examples of its use include:

• NASA has successfully tested a part of a rocket engine made through 3-D printing, has plans to send a 3-D printer to the International Space Station in 2014 and is even working with a private company to 3-D print a pizza.
• Companies are developing ways to 3-D "bioprint" human tissue such as blood vessels and organs.
• A startup company in Missouri is developing ways to 3-D bioprint meat.
• A Dutch firm is in the process of 3-D printing an entire house

Read more about the latest in 3-D Printing from BizTimes here.

Skills Gap? Maybe Not

The U.S. skills shortage will be far less of a problem than many people believe in the short term, and it is unlikely to prevent a resurgence in U.S. manufacturing in the next few years, according to a report by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report is titled “The U.S. Skills Gap: Could It Threaten a Manufacturing Renaissance?”

A key quote from the report: “Our research finds little evidence of a meaningful and persistent skills gap in most parts of the U.S., including in its most important manufacturing zones. The real problem is that companies have become too passive in recruiting and developing skilled workers.”

You can read more about it here in Modern Materials Handling magazine