“Plans are nothing, but planning is everything”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
1. Reshoring Record
The Reshoring Initiative reported that in 2022, manufacturing jobs announced from reshoring and foreign direct investment totaled a record 364,000, up from 238,000 in 2021. This follows a 13-year trend driven by the realization that the total cost of offshoring often exceeds that of domestic sourcing. Current momentum has been driven by recognizing supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical events. Computer chips and EV batteries accounted for 53% of job announcements.
2. More AM Data, Please!
The World Customs Organization introduced a new HS code in 2022 to help better understand international trade in additive manufacturing machines. However, data is still lacking on the machines that are produced and consumed domestically. The USMTO program, run by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology (hey, that’s us!), provides comprehensive industry statistics and allows businesses to identify lost sales opportunities, anticipate changing customer demands, and calculate their market share.
3. CNC 4.Ever
Smart factories will demand CNC machines that are connected to internal and external networks, that can interact with each other, and that have advanced software capabilities. These machines can be retrofitted with laser measurement, network connectivity, electrical controls, operating systems, and automated processes and libraries. As technology advances, machines will become faster, more precise, and easier to monitor. CNC machines should strive for closed-loop manufacturing to eliminate waste and save money.
4. Dear ChatGPT,
This open letter calls for a pause on the development of AI until confidence can be established that any risks are manageable and the effects are largely positive. A group of high-profile signatories, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, are asking companies to hold off on projects more powerful than GPT-4. The letter also calls for developing effective governing systems, such as a new regulatory authority dedicated to AI.
5. Hotel, Motel, 3D-Print Inn
Marfa, Texas, will introduce the world's first 3D-printed hotel in 2023! The hotel, located on a sprawling 62-acre desert oasis, is made possible by Liz Lambert, a 3D-printing construction startup, and Danish design firm BIG. The additive construction system, complete with a home-sized printer and portable mixing unit, will be used to produce the building material. The project promises cabanas and a massive infinity pool built to last. There is no date yet, but it is estimated for completion this year.
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