Manufacturing is the backbone of the United States economy and is of particular importance to the Midwest. Additive manufacturing such as 3-D printing has quickly become a highly sought after manufacturing technology for designers, engineers, businesses and entrepreneurs to transform ideas into tangible form for very little cost.  

Additive manufacturing is also rapidly becoming a viable alternative to traditional routes of manufacturing. As the cost of additive technologies decreases, local manufacturing has the potential to eclipse overseas manufacturing. Moreover, a Wanted Analytics study showed that 35 percent of all engineering job postings in a given month required applicants to possess the ability to utilize 3-D printing and modeling technology.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Midwest Regional Director, Dr. Christal Sheppard, spoke at an October 27 event at the University of Michigan, “The ‘Maker’ Movement and Intellectual Property – Fostering Academic Innovation,” on the topic of intellectual property rights and 3-D technologies. “In order for the United States to be at the forefront of new and emerging technologies,” said Dr. Sheppard, “we are working with students, educators, and the innovation community in Michigan and across the Midwest to disseminate information on 3-D technology and other exciting manufacturing trends.”

Dr. Sheppard leads the USPTO’s Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office in Detroit, a one stop shop for innovators in the region. It offers free resources and intellectual property assistance to local inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups, including walk in hours and events. The office is rolling out K-12 STEM outreach programs across the Metro Detroit region this fall to encourage children and young adults to pursue STEM training and education in order to fill the high tech jobs of the future. The regional office in Detroit hosts Saturday Seminars and works with business incubators and accelerators to help ensure that Michigan and Midwest businesses have the resources they need to innovate. Learn more about the USPTO’s regional offices.