Digital AM Technologies

Project code: S22708

RDI platform: Smart Industry

Language: Finnish

Project description

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly growing industrial production method. The change in the need for AM expertise is so fast that the skill gap in the field and the need for professionals cannot be filled with the pace of renewal of traditional engineering education. The Covid-19 pandemic has concretely shown that quick reaction is important in a rapidly changing world. Currently, the need for rapid change in industrial production methods caused by the pandemic and the measures required by the green transition go hand in hand. The project meets both needs. The project is aimed primarily at all those involved in product design, product development, manufacturing, and logistics in industry, as well as those who may be at risk of dropping out of working life after their own education or know-how has become obsolete. The project is financed from the appropriations of the REACT-EU instrument, as part of the measures implemented by the European Union in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goals

The goal of the project is to design and pilot a training concept that raises the level of expertise in AM technologies, which will help to enhance the utilization of AM technologies in industrial production, reduce the economic effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and compensate for the need for changes in industry shown by the pandemic. The effective utilization of AM technologies requires a huge variety of new types of competence, and individual companies do not have the time or opportunities to acquire such know-how capital. However, the drop in industrial production caused by the Covid-19 pandemic gives many people a unique opportunity to do this right now, both in terms of time use and the accumulation of skills.

The goal is also to acquire new knowledge in AM manufacturing technology across the entire production chain, from the identification and design of potential product development targets to manufacturing and finishing stages. The goal is also to clearly raise the skill level of companies and their personnel to utilize AM technologies and 3D printing with fast-acting targeted training.

Results

The result of the project is a training concept and a learning platform that can quickly update the skills of employees of companies in the area who are already working, so that the new knowledge builds on the previous one and the increase in the level of skills can be directly used in the company’s business. As a short-term result, thanks to the new, agile production method, companies get the opportunity to develop new or complementary business with the help of AM technology alongside traditional methods.

As a long-term result, the competitiveness of the region’s industry will improve and companies’ ability to change will increase as awareness and know-how about AM technologies increases. The carbon footprint of all participating companies and those using their products is reduced. Knowledge, familiarity, competence, and training of AM technologies are developing.

The project responds well to the current needs of business life. With the help of the training concept and the learning platform, professionals who are already ready in their field can take new knowledge to their workplaces and participate in developing the company’s operating methods to be agile and up-to-date in the changing situations of the operating environment.