Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that it is collaborating with the
University of Michigan (U-M) Centre for Academic Innovation to increase industrial adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) and prepare the workforce of the future by creating ‘Introduction to 3-D Printing with Metals’ a new ‘Massive Open Online Course’ (MOOC) that provides ‘an open, accessible resource to professionals, hobbyists and students alike’.
Siemens worked with Chinedum Okwudire, professor of mechanical engineering at U-M, and Dr Nathaniel Wood to design the course, which provides essential information about ‘methods of printing using metals, how they work, their advantages and limitations, and — most importantly — their practical applications.
Aaron Frankel, Siemens Digital Industries Software’s vice president of ‘Part Manufacturing New Solutions Introduction and Additive Manufacturing’, said: “Metals AM has huge potential to revolutionise how products are delivered, enabling freedom of form and mass customisation at an industrial scale. To realise that potential, industry needs a workforce that is knowledgeable about all aspects of the processes, how best to implement them to solve real engineering challenges and avoid the common pitfalls.
“Our work with U-M brings together its team’s research knowledge with our industrial expertise to deliver an accessible and open educational resource that will help provide the next generation of engineers with the skills they need.”
Mr Okwudire added: “The goal of this course is to broaden the knowledge and engagement in metal AM across a diverse and global audience that can help society through this technology. Siemens’ support, both from a financial and knowledge point of view, has been instrumental in the development of this course and we look forward to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce trained in metal AM.”
Further details can be found at the website
here.