Prospective industrial technicians in additive manufacturing visit Franken Guss GmbH & Co. KG
Prospective industrial technicians in the field of additive manufacturing visited Franken Guss GmbH & Co. KG and got an impression of the industrial application of 3D printing processes. The practical part of the IHK training takes place at the Plastics Center in Würzburg.
Prospective industrial technicians in additive manufacturing visit Franken Guss GmbH & Co. KG. (Photo: Steve Seibert, Franken Guss GmbH & Co. KG)
New IHK qualification - practical part of training at SKZ
The SKZ Plastics Center in Würzburg has been working successfully with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) since 1967. Since then, SKZ has been a partner for the practical part of the master craftsman's course for plastics and rubber. The advantage for the participants lies in the practical familiarization with a wide range of processing techniques for plastics in the institute's excellently equipped pilot plants. A similar cooperation between the IHK and the SKZ in the field of 3D printing was therefore an obvious choice.
A new IHK qualification
The result is a new course for certified industrial technicians in additive manufacturing, which is now taking place for the first time. The official IHK qualification is aimed at anyone interested in gaining a comprehensive overview of additive manufacturing. The focus is on the entire 3D printing process chain - starting with materials and their processing, design and additive manufacturing processes. Other topics such as energy, hydraulics and occupational safety are also on the agenda.
SKZ takes on practical implementation
SKZ is also responsible for the practical implementation of this cooperation. Thanks to the wide range of technical equipment in this area, the trainees can get to know different processes - such as selective laser sintering (LS) or fuse deposition modeling (FDM) - in direct application. This gives the participants a good overview of the advantages and disadvantages, possibilities, limitations and special features of the new production methods.
Excursions intensify hands-on learning
Industry partners are also used to illustrate the subject matter. In November, for example, the course participants visited Franken Guss GmbH & Co. KG to see an example of a current industrial application. The Kitzingen-based company has more than 90 years of experience in the foundry sector. Participants were able to gain insight into customized solutions for iron and aluminum casting as well as metal 3D printing.
"Absolute added value"
Students were universally enthusiastic about the opportunity to experience real-world additive manufacturing. "We are very grateful for the support of our industry partners. Such company visits provide a comprehensive and instructive insight into the technological processes," says Irena Heuzeroth, Senior Trainer Additive Manufacturing at SKZ. "The opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with the experts is an absolute added value.
Training for the future
For a long time, additive manufacturing processes were only seen as an option for prototyping. Now, the technology has established itself as a production process in many industries. Since there is no training in this area yet, the prospective industrial technicians are pioneers with optimal qualifications in a technology of the future.
SKZ also offers short qualifications in additive manufacturing
