Wohlers Associates, the Colorado-based additive manufacturing consultancy firm of industry advocate Terry Wohlers, has teamed up with America Makes to offer a new one-day course for managers and executives. Focusing on the unique principles of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) the course will take place at America Makes headquarters in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 24, 2019.
“AM is an inherently multidisciplinary technology,” said Ray Huff, associate engineer and DfAM instructor at Wohlers Associates. “Just as product development teams must rethink the way a product is designed, company management must also gain an appreciation for the new methods, software tools, and considerations that AM presents,”
“Unlocking the vast potential of AM requires a broad understanding of both the opportunities and challenges.”
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Wohlers Associates’ latest course in DfAM for managers and executives adds to a growing list of training programs offered by the company. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would be teaming up with leading digital manufacturer Protolabs to offer a three-day, invitation-only course on the same topic. Following that, the company has also been hosting DfAM courses in Germany, supported by international aerospace company Airbus, and the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research.
The aim of the particular course in Youngstown is to provide managers with an overview of the benefits of additive manufacturing, and where it can have a positive, economical impact on business. As detailed by Wohlers Associates, by the end of the course, participants should be able to:
– Describe when, why, and how to use AM to add value to products.
– Discuss the economics of AM and the design factors that can influence part cost
– Consolidate many parts into one to reduce part numbers, manufacturing processes, inventory, labor, certification paperwork, post-processing, and maintenance
– Peer into to the future of AM applications, systems, and trends
Metal, polymer, and composite materials are each covered by the class, and integral design features, such as lattice/mesh structures and simulation, will be explored.
Course pricing and participation
The DfAM for managers and executives course follows America Makes’ annual Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX). It is open to the public to attend, and America Makes members are offered a discount on the course registration fee. For non-members, the course costs $1,195, for members, it is $895. This price includes a copy of the Wohlers Report 2019, lunch, refreshments, a 3D printed gift, and DfAM guidelines.
Participants can register attendance to the DfAM course here.
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Featured image shows an A380 spoiler actuator valve block redesigned for additive manufacturing. Photo via Liebherr, Airbus
