How does a company owner find experienced talent in an industry that’s only a few years old? This is the problem early adopters of Metal Additive Manufacturing are trying to solve.
Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) has caused great excitement in the last 5 years. Aside from a number of important technology breakthroughs, global manufacturing leaders have begun integrating metal AM into their production operations to yield complex production components.
Indeed, additive is already playing an important role in the advanced manufacturing world, but there’s an unresolved pain-point felt across the industry; a small pool of skilled AM professionals, trying to satisfy the workforce needs of a rapidly growing industry.
How do you build a workforce for the next generation of manufacturing?
There’s plenty of conjecture about the “right” solution to AM workforce development, but there are very few real-world users who can speak directly to the practices they’ve implemented to close the skill gap. Chris Joest, President of帝国机器和工具公司, is one such individual who can.
I remember how my dad handled things in the very early days of computer controlled machining centers; the dilemma he faced then isn’t much different than the one we’re facing now. He used to say ‘work with the willing, and go from there’. I’ve always kept that in the back of my mind.
As the 3rd一代领导人的73岁的高级manufacturing company – with two SLM metal additive manufacturing systems and 40+ multi-axis CNC machining centers – Joest understands changing labor needs, as well as the requirements for success on both the additive and subtractive sides of the aisle.
Developing a skilled workforce can be split into 2 parts; training in-house for immediate labor needs, and working with educators and instructors long-term to make sure the young folks out there are well prepared for the workforce they’re going to enter. I’m not worried about overcoming the additive manufacturing skill gap; it will take time, certainly, but it will happen naturally as folks recognize the opportunities afforded by metal AM. In the meantime we work with the resources available.
Smart, Hardworking and Curious
Joest expanded on his approach to in-house training.
The best candidate for our AM operation is a smart and hard-working individual, with a sincere curiosity about AM technology. Age doesn’t play nearly as much of a role as one might think. We certainly have our fair share of younger folks involved in our hybrid manufacturing operations, but we also involve our most experienced and skilled machinists. The older guys don’t miss a beat once they learn the basics, and they bring an insight that can only be achieved from a lifetime dedicated to fabricating complex designs.
Imperial的团队通过提供了他们所谓的“混合制造”，结合了添加剂和减法制造技术，以实现无法实现任何其他方法的设计。Joest说，混合制造是一种整体方法，而不是一组特定的操作。例如，在设计阶段之前，在每个项目的开头评估和实施了功能设计注意事项 - 例如AM构建方向和支持结构，以及在加工过程中添加用于固定功能的功能。
工程师与机械师
Joest highlighted an important point about recruiting from diverse backgrounds.
Many of our competitors hire engineers for their additive operations, but I often question why they don’t explore other candidates as well.
雇用聪明，才华横溢的机械师，我们取得了巨大的成功，他们非常迅速地掌握了在我们的添加剂部门中表现出色所需的技能。许多要求重叠。使用CAD软件的工作能力，能够阅读2D图纸，熟悉构建准备软件的能力，对材料属性的一般理解，对为什么things are being done. Machinists are well positioned to make a jump into the additive manufacturing realm. Plus, they can precision machine printed parts after they leave the build chamber!
机械师并不比工程师“更好”。工程师在AM生态系统中起着至关重要的作用。我们依靠工程师来进行高级CAD工作，运行计算机模拟，拓扑优化，有限元分析……我唯一的观点是，工程师并不是开发熟练的AM部门的唯一选择。无论背景如何，聪明，勤奋，好奇的人都可以真正表现出色。
Inspiring the Next Generation
The next generation of Designers, Engineers and Technicians are still in school. Overcoming the AM skill gap in the long term hinges on nurturing these bright young minds.
This is part 1 in a series looking at the additive manufacturing skills gap. Part 2 will examine how the metal AM industry is working with schools to engage students early in their academic careers.订阅我们的免费新闻通讯and follow ouractive social media accountsto make sure you don’t miss it.
If you’re looking to recruit those skilled in any aspect of 3D printing, or if you’re seeking a job in the additive manufacturing industry –get in contact with us here.
Featured image shows students captivated by the laser sintering process; it’s quiteelegant to watch
