Why this program?
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a production technology that showcases the revolutionary power of digitalization. While traditional manufacturing processes often encounter numerous geometric and manufacturing limitations, AM enables a high degree of customizability and manufacturing speed.
Characteristic of these manufacturing processes, also known as 3D printing, is the layer-by-layer construction of components, which enables far-reaching geometric design freedom, a significant shortening of the path from the design to the finished component, the combination of a wide variety of materials, and the targeted adjustment of local component properties. AM thus stands for unrivaled flexibility in design and production.
When experts are able to harness this technology, development processes and product ideas can be rethought from the ground up. The potential is not limited by the manufacturing processes but by creativity and human ability to think outside the box.
Holistic view:
The disruptive potential of additive manufacturing has many aspects: technical, economic, sustainable and legal. The program approaches additive manufacturing from all angles.
Is it worth getting into additive manufacturing?
Companies often wonder whether additive manufacturing processes can be used in their business in a commercially viable way. Our program enables participants to look at business cases and provides the foundation for new business models which can be applied to their own company and situation.
Hands-on experience:
For us, additive manufacturing is more than theory. To ensure meaningful learning, participants experience additive manufacturing processes live and in color as part of the program. In addition, they directly apply what they have learned in a small practical project, which they discuss at the end with the other participants from both specializations.
Cross-industry and unifying approach:
As the first of its kind, our program not only deals with industrial manufacturing, but is also explicitly aimed at engineers and planners from the construction industry. The modular structure enables the consideration of industry-specific aspects and shows parallels as well as meaningful cross-connections to other areas.
Networking with company representatives from different industries
In addition to a visit to one of our industry partners, the program also offers participants the opportunity to meet people from diverse industries and expand their network.
Basic module
- Why additive manufacturing? Introduction to additive thinking & design
- Additive manufacturing processes - A cross-industry overview
- Characteristics of additively manufactured products: Validation, quality assurance and reproducibility
- Standardization of AM - An overview
- Environment and Sustainability
- Economic aspects
Specialization in industrial manufacturing
- Additive manufacturing with metals
- Additive manufacturing with polymers
- Computer-aided methods in additive manufacturing
- Advanced manufacturing: monitoring and use of process data
- The additive process chain in practice
- Legal framework
- Economic efficiency of AM in industrial manufacturing
- AM in practice: Company visit
Specialization in construction
- Additive manufacturing with concrete: mode of operation, process chain, material requirements, potential
- Additive manufactured buildings in practice & focus element on individual processes.
- Additive manufacturing in architecture: BIM and AM
- Current state of research
- Legal framework
- Economic viability of AM in construction
- AM in practice: company visit
Final module
- Project work in groups
- Project presentation
- Outlook – additive manufacturing of the future
Project Work
The course is concluded by group work in which participants will reflect on the gained theoretical knowledge in a practical project and present their work results afterwards.
In this project, participants will thoroughly discuss and evaluate hands-on based on a given catalog on requirements which additive manufacturing technology fits best for processing the respective component. This is supported by an economic calculation.
In addition, the project will equip participants with the necessary tools, processes, and techniques to readily deploy them in their working environment whenever the need arises.
This project work is meant to ensure that participants can distinguish between the fundamental mechanisms of additive component production for the different processes and to derive the method suitable for the respective application in their project.
Participants should have a background in engineering. First contact with additive manufacturing is an advantage.
The program is aimed at people with an engineering background. Are you a technical lead or implementing engineer? Are you a mechanical or civil engineer, planner or architect and want to learn more about additive manufacturing? Then this program is the right one for you.
