The New Face of Manufacturing: A Q&A with Matthew Benzik, Service Engineer at SLM Solutions

A Q&A with Matthew Benzik, Service engineer at SLM Solutions in Wixom, Mich., who installs and services industrial metal 3D printers.

What led you to work in manufacturing?

My time at Michigan Tech as a student in the mechanical engineering technology degree program was what told me that I should be in manufacturing in some way. I’ve always had a knack for working with my hands and troubleshooting systems on the fly, and so being in manufacturing as a service engineer is just about as perfect fit as I could find.

What are the most common uses you see for 3D printing?

I work with customers that do everything from medical to rocket parts, so mostly I see customers replacing parts that used to be cast with 3D printed versions. These new versions also include optimizations for strength, weight and part count reductions which were impossible, say, 10 years ago.

Why should young people consider manufacturing careers?

I think young people should consider manufacturing because there will always be a need to make things. As we get more advanced with our techniques, there is going to be a need for highly skilled and technically minded individuals who can utilize the tech, and also push it forward.