Siemens Digital Industries Software program and the College of Michigan (U-M) Middle for Tutorial Innovation have developed a Large Open On-line Course (MOOC) titled Introduction to 3D Printing with Metals. Taught by Professor Chinedum Okwudire, the course consists of 5 modules and requires roughly 17 hours to finish. It covers matters reminiscent of directed vitality deposition (DED), laser powder mattress fusion (LPBF), materials jetting, and friction stir processes. The course is free and could be taken at your personal tempo.
Aaron Frankel vice chairman, Half Manufacturing New Options Introduction and Additive Manufacturing at Siemens, mentioned,
“Metals additive manufacturing has large potential to revolutionize how merchandise are delivered, enabling freedom of kind and mass customization at an industrial scale. To appreciate that potential, trade wants a workforce that’s educated about all elements of the processes, how greatest to implement them to resolve actual engineering challenges and keep away from the widespread pitfalls. Our work with U-M brings collectively their group’s analysis data with our industrial experience to ship an accessible and open instructional useful resource that may assist present the subsequent technology of engineers with the talents they should change the world.”
Chinedum Okwudire said,
“The aim of this course is to broaden the data and engagement in steel additive manufacturing throughout a various and world viewers that may assist advance society via this game-changing expertise. Siemens’ help, each from a monetary and data perspective has been instrumental within the growth of this course and we look ahead to constructing a extra various, equitable, and inclusive workforce educated in steel additive manufacturing.”
The course explores the rationale behind steel 3D printing, overlaying design, post-processing, and insights from trade professionals. Contributors not solely find out how completely different processes perform but in addition decide which technique most closely fits their wants. An augmented actuality (AR) part is included as nicely.
Siemens has a historical past of providing comparable programs, reminiscent of Introduction to Stable Edge, Utilized Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Introduction to NX. It is a strategic transfer by Siemens—increasing the variety of folks proficient in CAD, recognizing the worth of digital instruments, and understanding 3D printing in the end will increase the potential buyer base for its merchandise. On the identical time, making its personal instruments extra accessible at a low value advantages each Siemens and the trade as a complete.
Demystifying 3D printing, particularly, is essential to accelerating progress and growth. Extra knowledgeable customers, employees, and researchers strengthen the trade. CAD itself stays a distinct segment discipline, with round two million professionals worldwide. Increasing that quantity would drive progress even additional. The extra individuals who can design and manufacture with 3D printing, the extra impactful the expertise turns into. A complete set of programs overlaying each side of 3D printing could be a useful useful resource for the trade.
MIT, Purdue, Barnes, UL, ASTM, and others have already developed extremely helpful programs, however extra are wanted. A powder dealing with course, for instance, could be extremely priceless. Focused programs on designing and manufacturing medical units might speed up progress in that sector. A common The best way to 3D Print Safely on the Workplace or Residence course would profit many, whereas specialised applications for aviation, large-scale manufacturing with print farms, and dental functions would even be game-changers.
Regardless of the wealth of present sources, there’s nonetheless no complete A-to-Z primer on 3D printing for common professionals—one thing that would take an entire newbie all the best way to printing a hip implant. Creating such a course would require vital time and funding, however the payoff could be huge. Proper now, the AM trade is promoting pizza however asking folks to be taught Italian earlier than they’ll eat it. The sector is selling a printing press in a world the place nobody is aware of the best way to write.
If the trade collaborated to create an all-encompassing studying pathway, we’d take away obstacles to entry and drive adoption at a a lot sooner price. Within the meantime, Siemens and Michigan are making significant contributions with this effort, benefiting each themselves and the broader trade.
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