We initiate working groups to bundle our strengths, ideas and interests and to design effective future strategies and implementation projects.

 

Current Activities

Based on the results of the initial kick-off working group on Monday, June 25, 2018, in the Expat Center in Vienna, we have defined the following working groups and task forces.

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Reports of the working groups

Workgroup 'education and training'

The education and training workgroup aims to connect all Austrian stakeholders from the field of Additive Manufacturing (AM) (such as for-and non-profit organisations, technical colleges, universities and others) to develop strategies for professional AM education and training. The group pursues a well-coordinated approach to use national synergies and to avoid duplication. The developed pieces of training aim to be open to all interest groups and consider Austrian characteristics. It was decided to start a curriculum development that contains requirements for the various training levels as well as developing solutions and teaching materials. Prof Dr Jürgen Stampfl heads the workgroup.

Active projects in the field of education and training with the participation of AM Austria

The addmanu knowledge qualification network emerged from the addmanu lead project and was launched in mid-2019. It was introduced to FFG No. 873878 for funding by the Montan University and coordinates Austrian research institutions, universities and technical colleges. The project ​quickly transferred results from research to companies in the form of training to multiply innovation. A total of 24 partners from various industries took part in this project, and participants of the course can gain a personal certification of their acquired knowledge.

EIT Manufacturing: Another goal of the education and training working group is linked to EIT Manufacturing and aims to develop AM 'learning nuggets'. The EIT-addmanu project was approved by EIT Manufacturing and started its activities on January 1, 2020. Its project partner is the Aalto University (Finland), Mondragon University (Spain), Delft University (Netherlands) and TU Vienna. The aim is to create an AM curriculum, which is offered in the form of small teaching units (so-called nuggets) on a guided online learning platform. The first nuggets have already been developed by the project team and are used at TU Vienna.

Working group Additive Manufacturing: strengthening the industry

The working group "strengthening the industry" was headed by Dr Johannes Gartner and put the focus on the identification of measures to strengthen the Austrian industry. In close coordination with the working group members and in cooperation with the Institute for Innovation Management at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, several findings were obtained and incorporated into the future AM Austria strategy:

  • Need for basic economic research and business case analysis for the Austrian business location

  • Need to promote AM in education and research

  • Recognition of AM as a key technology for sustainability and critical regional industrial services

  • Strengthening of the international communication of Austrians AM competencies

TASK FORCE norms and standards

The Norms and Standards Task Force is headed by DI. Mag. Andreas Tanda and aims to monitor national and international norms and standard developments continuously. The task force started on October 23, 2018, in Linz, and informed members about relevant innovations and intervenes when strategically necessary.

So far, the content has aligned, and future work topics, such as standardisation in the area of ​​process control, process qualification (interaction with training and further education), surface characterisation and material testing, the general procedure for any comments on draft standards have been identified, discussed and agreed among the members.

In 2019, members of the task force worked on the transition from VDI 3405 Part 3 to the DIN EN ISO 52911-1 and -2 standards, which were published in May 2020.

In July 2019, statements were made on sheets VDI 3405 3.4, 3.2 and 4.1. These statements were coordinated during two telephone conferences among the members before being collected and transmitted to the VDI.

On December 10, 2019, the members of the task force held a meeting in Salzburg, which mainly dealt with sheets 6.1 and 6.2 of VDI 3405 on the subject of occupational safety. EN ISO/ASTM 52902: 2019 on the subject of test specimens was discussed.

At the turn of the year, the members of the task force raised several objections and comments on DIN EN ISO 52904 and DIN EN ISO 52924.

One of the responsibilities of the task force is to keep the other members informed about new standards and draft standards in the field of additive manufacturing at member meetings and through mailings. This service is to be expanded further in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a meeting of the members of the task force is not planned for November 2020.

TASK FORCE COVID-19

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, AM Austria was able to act as a competent contact for all 3D topics for both the BMK and the BMDW. AM Austria also offered coordinated help for the procurement of urgently needed parts using 3D printing. The technology platform AM Austria also set up a contact point to coordinate supply bottlenecks and existing 3D printing resources. AM Austria offered access to the local resources and skills of the association members.

The main focus of the offer was on procuring spare parts, and it included the following assistance:

a) Coordinating inquiries via AM Austria

b) Access to AM Austria's network (which consists of manufacturers (machines and materials), users and service providers, CAD designers and specialists) to help select suitable 3D printing technologies.

c) Measuring existing and possibly defective components.

d) Generating CAD data according to the components provided. This CAD data is essential for printing parts on different platforms.

e) Selecting and providing different materials.

f) Advice on using specific applications (regulatory issues).

g) Providing AM 3D printing capacities, including the post-processing of components.

h) Estimating delivery times and realizable series sizes.

 

To be able to provide prompt and professional assistance, AM Austria asked for specific inquiries with specified minimum information. A web-based platform was made available, and a database was created.

We invite all members of AM Austria to contribute to these working groups. We are available at any time for registrations and queries via initiative (at) am-austria.com!