From trial and error to a rapid, structured AM learning curve
Until recently, an application engineer would need up to two years' experience to acquire adequate AM knowledge. This program is designed to reduce the learning curve to six months, and lower the general threshold that companies are facing when implementing Additive Manufacturing technology.

The program will also substantially reduce the investment risk for entering AM production. Based on the trained workforce, a customer is now able to bring innovative AM metal applications to their industries as well as introducing both radical innovations and serial manufacturing more rapidly.

Understand, improve and implement AM
In close cooperation with both universities, the course offers a mix of intense theoretical and practical learning blocks at the partner universities, at EOS and in-house with the customer. After a period of six months, participants receive their "AM Application Engineer" certification.

-              Part 1: Understanding AM (at EOS and in-house): Participants are being introduced to the fundamentals of Additive manufacturing, including the definition and development of the right applications for the use of this technology

-              Part 2: Improve knowledge and technical AM competence (at the University of Wolverhampton and in-house): during the next four months, participants will improve their know-how in process development (e.g. defining parameters, supports), material characteristics (e.g. metallurgy, powder, density, post processing), quality assurance (destructive and non-destructive testing, CT-Scanning etc.) and how to leverage the freedom of designing for AM

-              Part 3: Implement AM (at SRH): during the last week of this educational program, participants will attend strategy courses focusing on how to implement AM in the organization, how to generate and communicate AM business models and how this will all affect internal value chains.

Güngör Kara concludes: "The program is giving engineers the technical expertise to master AM more efficiently. As such, it supports them to develop and improve AM applications, implement serial production, optimize innovation and keep their organization well ahead of their respective competition.

"This is a proven short-cut for our customers - they can build new AM metal-based competencies internally. This will make the difference when it comes to introducing AM driven innovations. We believe that the industrial champions of the next decade have to build up their AM technology competencies in this decade."

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