As we all know the boomer tsunami, the gradual exit of baby boomer workforce, is underway. With the lack of interest by future generations in pursuing skilled technician training and the increased sophistication of automated machines, we are in the midst of major maintenance and skills crises. However, help may be on the way to turn the tide and get future generations excited about tinkering with machines and learning how to troubleshoot, fix and build new innovations. A Star Trek-type technology – the ability to synthesize objects – is now available today. Believe it or not, if you can dream it, you can (possibly) build it through a process called additive manufacturing, which is more commonly known as 3D printing.

What is additive manufacturing or 3D printing? It is the process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, in which successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which typically rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling (subtractive processes). A materials printer usually performs 3D printing processes using digital technology. Since the start of the 21st century, there has been a large growth in the sales of these machines, and the price has dropped substantially. A CAD drawing is converted to machine language and the design is divided into layers measured in 1/1000’s of inches and the machine “prints” each layer. The technology is used in jewellery, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, and many other fields. At Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, they are literally 3D printing ears and building organs, such as bladders and kidneys. Also ships are adding these gadgets to their inventories, so that they can build their own tools and parts if they are too far away from suppliers.

By understanding how to design and build new tools and products, future generations will be more likely to pick up the tools and classes to take on maintenance and manufacturing career paths. If we can set up 3D printing labs and have expos to show future generations predictive technologies and tools, more will acquire the skills and desire to fix our challenges forward.