33 – Scaling Additive Manufacturing Means Scaling its Workforce

AM Radio

Bringing additive manufacturing to scale production also means scaling the workforce trained to design, manage and carry out that production. While some fundamentals stay the same across material and process, learning the intricacies of specific applications and industries takes time. What is the role of the university in preparing the next generation of additive manufacturers? What should industry expect in new hires, and how can companies upskill their existing workforce? And what are the “soft skills” or personality traits that make for a successful user of additive manufacturing? In this episode of the AM Radio podcast, I discuss training and education options for additive with Dr. Tim Simpson, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Penn State University and contributor to Additive Manufacturing Media (among his various other roles). This episode is the first of a series that will feature Simpson as cohost.

This episode of AM Radio is brought to you by PTXPO.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Additive Insights column
• AM WTF, full collection and episode on the piston crown
• Formnext Forum Austin
• More on the Penn State master’s program in additive manufacturing
• MIT course in Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production
• Additive Manufacturing Media’s How to Pursue a Career in AM resource
• PSU strategic job analysis on skills and attributes necessary for AM engineers (see results in the chart below)
• The Barnes Global Advisors
• Article on AM work at Siemens Energy, featuring photos of teachable parts

Additional resources:

• Journal article on preparing industry for AM and its applications

Results from Penn State's 2019 study of successful AM engineers