Competence development through 3D printing education using Amify
Additive Manufacturing (AM), has been transforming various businesses and their supply chains. As Additive Center sees this positive adaptation trend, education in the field of AM allows companies to gain unique competitive advantages. This is the core reason as to why Amify was launched, a learning platform dedicated to advancing AM knowledge through custom learning paths and courses that integrate with existing organizational systems. Unlike other learning tools, Amify stands out through its engaging approach, incorporating gamification and practical information from highly experienced companies in software, hardware and material production. This article offers insights into what Amify can offer for your company and why it is crucial to develop AM competences within organizations.
What is Amify?
Amify offers an innovative educational platform that provides relevant, high-quality learning methods which are specifically designed for AM. These learning methods are provided to clients in continuous collaboration with industry leaders within the AM industry, such as ASML, Sidel, Pelagus 3D, Hexagon and toolcraft.
The platform emphasizes delivering applicable knowledge with a focus on ‘application spotlights’ — content crafted for immediate use in problem-solving and decision-making. This direct approach ensures that engineers can apply what they learn, leveraging job performance effectively and spreading valuable lessons quickly across the entire organization. This targeted, on-the-job learning is motivating for participants and is a key driver for the successful development of competencies. Our partnerships offer users unique insights into the practical applications of AM, delivering immediate value for the company.
Amify is more than just a Learning Management System (LMS); it is a comprehensive initiative designed by the industry, for the industry, to accelerate the global implementation of AM. While Amify can integrate with the LMS of customers, it offers much more by fostering a community for sharing knowledge within the industry.
Amify targets specific types of engineers, such as those in design, quality, and new product introduction, who need tailored competencies. Its structure promotes continuous engagement with the content and encourages sharing experiences and knowledge across these specialized functions. This focused approach ensures that the right information reaches those who need it most, speeding up competence development and enhancing the overall effectiveness of AM implementation.
Strategic awareness is a key outcome, where Amify designs courses to cultivate a competitive edge to your company, by driving innovation and operational efficiency.
Tailored impact learning features customized learning tracks that align not only with your personal development in AM, but also company specific goals, fostering AM expertise leading to cost savings.
Application highlights revolve around short, focused lessons on specific parts and processes relevant to your industry that enhance supply chain resilience and push ingenuity. This leads to improved collaboration and sharing between engineers teams in large organizations.
Accessibility is important to Amify, as easily accessible, structured content that is highly engaging and available within an organization’s LMS (Learning Management System) fosters active learning and engagement.
Who can benefit from Amify?
With the objective of providing long-term value, Amify supports continuous learning and skill assessment, ensuring that the platform’s benefits extend beyond initial training. The aim is to foster ongoing development and satisfaction among engineers as they progress in their careers. However, Amify is also relevant for several other roles besides engineers, holding several positive spillover effects.
Engineers
Engineers with a diverse background of specializations can significantly gain knowledge from Amify’s detailed and applicable content it offers. As Amify provides in-depth courses which are covering the latest advancements and trends in the AM sector, engineers can learn about relevant materials, printing techniques and applications of 3D printing. Some key skill sets that will be tested are design efficiency, problem-solving, and staying updated. Engineers gain the ability to create more efficient (and complex) designs that leverage the potential of AM implementation, to solve company relevant engineering problems. Finally, users will be able to keep up with the rapid advancements of 3D printing technology, ensuring their skills will remain relevant.
Managers
For managers, Amify acts as a platform which can drive innovation and operational efficiency across their teams. Amify is designed to also help managers understand and appreciate the broader implications of AM on their business operations. Managers incorporate AM into their long-term business strategies, driving growth and competitiveness. Additionally, managers discover ways to streamline production processes and reduce costs via implementation of AM technologies. With Amify, managers equip themselves with the knowledge to lead their (engineering) teams in exploring innovative, competitive uses of 3D printing.
Organizations
All in all, Amify also benefits organizations as a whole. By integrating a culture of continuous learning and innovation, firms will be able to achieve various advantages. The major advantage of Amify is that knowledge pushes cost savings. When implementing scalable cost-effective manufacturing processes that reduce material waste and production times, it can lead to lower overall production costs. Consequently, companies can allocate resources much more efficiently.
Product performance also is leveraged with AM, by leveraging its unique capabilities for better design and functionality. Engineers are able to create more complex shapes for products/parts which are lighter and stronger than traditionally manufactured parts. These optimized designs can lead to parts with superior mechanical properties (increased strength-to-weight ratios and improved durability). This also brings us back to cost savings, where AM allows for the integration of multiple functions into a single part. This reduces assembly requirements and potential points of failure, enhancing overall reliability and performance of the final product.
Staying competitive is crucial for organizations. Amify helps companies do so by adapting AM technologies within their firms. By improving manufacturing capabilities, organizations can quickly respond to market demands and bring innovative, cost saving products to the market at a faster pace. The agility offered by AM allows engineers to experiment with new designs and materials without the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes. By investing in professional development of employees, organizations can fully leverage the potential of AM. Having a culture of continuous learning allows companies to enhance their workforce’s capabilities. This investment in development boosts the development of the organization, but also personal job satisfaction and retention of the individual employees.
The growing relevance of 3D printing education
As Additive Manufacturing continues to grow its presence across diverse industries (from aerospace and automotive to the healthcare industry), its applications are also growing rapidly with new innovations being discovered. Amify invites your organization to become part of this change, and tap into untapped potential with AM. The most prominent reasons as to why companies have shown their excitement and willingness to commit to AM in these industries revolve around:
- Innovation: Understanding the capabilities of 3D printing allows engineers and designers to create more innovative and efficient products.
- Efficiency: Knowledge of AM can lead to significant cost savings by reducing material waste and streamlining production processes.
- Customization: 3D printing enables the production of customized products, which is increasingly important in markets that demand personalized solutions.
- Sustainability: AM is more environmentally friendly than traditional manufacturing methods, making it essential for companies focused on sustainability.
For these reasons, several companies have already partnered up with Amify to enhance their workflows and gain organizational benefits from AM implementation. To read more about these companies, check out our press releases on our blog page or follow Amify on LinkedIn!