The manufacturing industry plays a key role in the EU economy – it generates about 6% of the EU’s GDP and employs over 48 million people – and is considered the most important sector for achieving the “Europe 2020” growth strategy goals. However, the sector’s recent decline and growing competition from non-EU regions has created the need for efficiency gains and sustainable practice across the sector. Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing has transformed innovation in the engineering and manufacturing industry, and the EU has identified AM as one of 6 Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The European Industrial Policy for KETs aims to increase the exploitation of KETs and to reverse the decline in manufacturing as this will stimulate growth and jobs. The 3DPRINT-DnB will contribute to the achievement of the “Europe 2020” growth strategy goals. 3DPRINT-DnB aims to create an innovative introductory joint AM curriculum for UG group project work. Specific aims include to: (a). Enhance the quality and relevance of student’s knowledge and skills (employability and entrepreneurship), improving opportunities for entry into AM jobs. (b). Enhance learning through the digital literacy of target groups who will engage in digital manufacturing activities (including 3D Printing Competition for local Schools). (c). Increase the awareness and attractiveness of careers in STEM and Art and Design through the creation of high quality joint AM curriculum (also improving gender balance in STEM). (d). increase opportunities for the achievement of relevant and high quality skills and competencies in STEM which are in high demand in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sectors. The HE partners came together based on a shared interest to improve education for UG students in 3D Printing and digital manufacturing and the group has the advantage of representing different institution sizes (small, medium and large). Each partner will bring its own (academic and private sector) expertise and knowledge with regard to the additive manufacturing technology applications to aero, auto and food industry sectors. Our group is composed of 6 partners: 4 HEs and 2 SMEs representing 3 different European countries. The HEI’s have a strong focus on applied research and technology transfer with excellent links with industry; and the two SMEs bring strong expertise in machine automation and digital media to the group. Final Year students will undertake their Group Project work using the 3D Printer Design and Build joint curricula developed by this project and the HEI partners’ students will build 3D FDM printers using the low cost components and parts. Each HEI partner will then provide training and upskilling seminars for Design Technology teachers in local secondary schools using the 3D Printers built by the UG students, to facilitate the organisation of Local Schools 3D Printing Competitions and subsequently EU Schools 3D Printing Competitions. The learning module developed through the joint curricula and the 3D FDM Printer design and build specification, parts and self-build resource pack will be available open source on the project website. It is expected that the consortia will roll out the learning module to other HEIs and work nationally with Schools to mainstream the Schools 3D Printing Competition. The potential impact of 3DPRINT-DnB includes the following: (a). Increase interest in AM and STEM careers (b). Improve transition to HE (c). Increase innovation and entrepreneurship and number technology business start-ups (d). Increase transition to Higher Education (e). Improve gender balance on STEM degree courses and careers Longer term benefits: The project will support graduates in their career development and attract interest in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sector. The project contributes to the EU’s Education and Training 2020 strategic framework objectives by increasing student and teacher mobility and improving teaching quality.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing has transformed innovation in the engineering and manufacturing industry, and the EU has identified AM as one of 6 Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The European Industrial Policy for KETs aims to increase the exploitation of KETs and to reverse the decline in manufacturing as this will stimulate growth and jobs. The 3DPRINT-DnB (3D Printer Design and Build) project was designed to contribute to the achievement of the “Europe 2020” growth strategy goals. The consortium for the 3-year project that investigated the development of the undergraduate curriculum for this key enabling technology was composed of 6 partners: 4 HEs and 2 SMEs representing 3 partner countries (2 European countries and 1 Associated country). The project was designed to support STEM undergraduates in their career development and to help to create awareness and interest in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sector. To this end, the consortium has created an innovative introductory joint AM curriculum for UG group project work; the curriculum and other learning resources from the project have been made available to stakeholders and the wider 3D Printing Community on the project website (http://www.3dprintproject.org/). The 3DPRINT project achieved the aim of creating an innovative introductory joint AM curriculum for UG group project work. The piloting of the Group Project Module by the University Partners have helped to enhance the quality and relevance of student’s knowledge and skills in terms of their employability and entrepreneurship, helped to improve the opportunity for students to gain jobs in manufacturing sector; helped to enhance learning through the digital literacy of students in the local schools in the partners countries through the STEM Schools Outreach and the 3D Printing Competition. In addition, the project has also helped to increase the awareness and attractiveness of careers in STEM and Art and Design through the creation of high-quality joint AM curriculum (also improving gender balance in STEM). More importantly, the dissemination of the outputs from the project through a variety of media has helped to increase opportunities for the achievement of relevant and high-quality skills and competencies in STEM which are in high demand in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sectors. In terms of outputs, the 3DPRINT project generated several innovative outputs, including: (a). Specified and Built 3D Prototype Printer (fully commercialised version was then used University Partners in Turkey for piloting the 3D Printing Group Project curriculum developed by the consortium). (b). Piloted the 3D Printing Group Project curriculum developed by the consortium at the four University Partners (both SAMK and UoW used the PRUSA 3D Printer Kit for Parts and sub-assemblies). (c). Developed Online E-Learning Platform for 3D Printing which is available to Schools, Further and Higher Education Institutions and other 3D Printing Practitioners. (d). Organised 3D Printing Competition for local Schools in the Partner Countries (Finland and Turkey). And in terms of the results and impact attained, the project consortium was very successful in reaching all the target groups, and successfully disseminated the outputs through the project website (https://www.3dprintproject.org/) and social media platforms such as Instagram (https://www.Instagram.com/3dprint_dnb/), LinkedIn postings and live streaming of online Multiplier Events. In summary, 3DPRINT project delivered the following: (a). National Reports on 3D Printing Education and Skills Gaps (UK, Turkey and Finland). (b). Development of E-Learning Platform for a Final Year (& MSc) Level Group Project on the Design, Build and Assembling of 3D Printers. (c). Curriculum for MSc Degree Course in 3D Printing Technologies. (d). Training Seminars for Design and Technology Teachers on 3D Printing. (e). STEM Outreach for Local School (in Partner Countries Finland, Turkey). In terms of longer term benefits of the project there are a number of ongoing elements, for example: - the project E-Learning Platform on Instagram, which currently has over 500 followers including people working for technology and mechanical manufacturing companies producing 3D printers and students - the creation of the 3D Printing Education Network with members from institutions around the world, which highlights the potential sustained global impact of this exciting 3DPRINT-DnB Project - the project website and e-learning platform, which will continue to be updated by project partners.