Our Sites

From the Web: ‘Routine’ jobs disappearing; business expands; 3-D printing updates; and brake woes

  1. A recent WSJ blog post discussed a topic manufacturers have seen up close and personal for many years—the disappearance of “routine” jobs.

    “The American labor market and middle class was once built on the routine job—workers showed up at factories and offices, took their places on the assembly line or the paper-pushing chain, did the same task over and over, and then went home."

    New research shows just how much the world of routine work has collapsed. Over the course of the last two recessions and recoveries, a period beginning in 2001, the economy’s job growth has come entirely from nonroutine work, a trend unseen in previous recoveries. Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Ways, said “The recessions are hurting those the most whose skills can be easily automated away.

    He sees two policy responses as critical: First, improving the quality and availability of college and job-training programs to focus on raising workforce skills that that more people are positioned to benefit. Second, when there is a recession, responding aggressively because the labor market no longer snaps back.

  2. Lincoln, Neb.-based Lincoln Industries has expanded outside of the state for the first time in its 63-year history with the purchase of DS Manufacturing in Pine Island, Minn.

    Lincoln specializes in manufacturing and finishing metal products, such as chrome exhaust systems for companies including Harley-Davidson and Freightliner. DS Mfg. does similar work on smaller products.

    Company officials expect the Minnesota operation to increase its revenue 50 percent this year, which could mean more jobs in Minnesota and across Lincoln Industries’ five locations in Lincoln.

    The company also has a $10 million project underway that will result in what is said to be the largest plating line in North America.

  3. For those of you following 3-D printing news, particularly when it comes to firearms (which even appeared in a recent episode of “The Good Wife"), you might be interested in knowing that North America just tested its first functional metal 3-D printed gun silencer.

    Firearm blog thetruthaboutguns was allowed to test out the very first metal 3D printed firearm suppressor ever produced in the United States. The metal parts manufacturer that made the silencer asked that its name be kept from the review as it is not looking to manufacture silencers or other firearms accessories. The manufacturer simply used the production of the silencer as an example of the SLS metal 3-D printing process’s capabilities.

    Gun enthusiasts should rein in their excitement. At this point metal 3-D printed suppressors are not being sold, and no one has currently even explored the feasibility and legality of doing so. And unless the price of SLS 3D printers drops significantly soon, it is going to be a while before you can make a product like this at home.

  4. Among the companies investing in research to determine 3-D printing capabilities is General Electric. The company just received approval for an advanced manufacturing and research facility from Findlay, Pa., officials.

    GE plans to use the site to develop and implement 3-D printing of metal objects and other advanced manufacturing technologies.

    The 126,000-square-foot structure to be complete by Sept. 16 and occupied by November. In the future, the building could increase in size by an additional 90,000-square-feet.

  5. And now for some news that predates 3-D metal printing, but is likely much more important for drivers of older General Motors vehicles.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has spent five years probing rusted pipes that carry brake fluid in millions of 1999-2007 model year GM vehicles.

    The NHTSA found the problem was caused by road salt and lack of cleaning, not a manufacturing or design defect.

    What to do? If you live in one of 20 cold-weather states, get your cars and truck undercarriages washed several times during and after the winter. Also, get your brake lines inspected for rust and replace them if necessary.

    The warning underscores the importance of washing highly corrosive salt from beneath a car because over time, it can cause suspension parts, the frame, or other components to corrode and fail.