3-D printers taking manufacturing jobs

The manufacturing sector is changing, largely because of the introduction of automation. Assembly-type jobs that were a staple of the American workforce for generations are now being done by machines.

Among the latest gadgets are 3-D printers that can copy a picture of something and reproduce it. "Computer printers actually make parts," said Harry Shuford, practice leader and chief economist for NCCI. "A 3-D system scanned and printed a working crescent wrench in just over an hour."

Another printed a full-scale model of a turboprop engine, from an engineering drawing, in 2 1/2 weeks. General Electric is working with Airbus to make parts for jet engines, Shuford said.

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"3-D printing is a technology that is coming," Shuford said. "Jobs will be about designing the systems."

July 2, 2012

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