Is 3D Printing Actually Going to Create Jobs in the US?

[Brian_Krassenstein]

While a hallmark of the global economic system has been the outsourcing of manufacturing, the 3D printing technology revolution is facilitating a return to more affordable domestic manufacturing capabilities--and companies have to redraw their manufacturing blueprints to adjust to this next sea change. While product shipping costs decrease with on site 3D printing production, so do intellectual property protections increase and grow more enforceable. Since manufacturing is the engine driving the global economy, there are important repercussions for 3D technology's influence on global economics and world affairs. And there may be new manufacturing jobs domestically in the U.S. "Made in China" is not a thing of the past for U.S. consumers, but they may be seeing more "Made in the U.S.A" tags on more, at least partially, domestically produced items. More details on this story can be found here: http://3dprint.com/27413/3d-printing-jobs-economy-us

[MichMat]

I think it will create jobs--but who knows how many. There was also a commitment to creating more green jobs, but we haven't really seen that come to fruition yet. But now that four National Nuclear labs (and the National Security Campus) have joined the America Makes consortium (announced yesterday) it appears things are moving in the jobs direction, possibly. They will need people trained as 3D printing designers, 3D printer mechanics, etc. from outside their industry.