EOS Expands Academia Program, Enhancing Additive Manufacturing Training Offerings

While EOS is certainly well-known by many big name companies for its expertise in additive manufacturing solutions for both metals and polymers, it has also supported academics and researchers for over 20 years with its Academia program, allowing them to buy EOS systems at “favorable conditions.” Universities and research institutions around the world, including the Technical University of Munich and the University of Wolverhampton, are using EOS systems — more than 300 of them — at their facilities.

“Our institution has used EOS systems for processing metal materials for research and educational purposes since 2004,” said Mark Stanford, Professor for Advanced Manufacturing Technology at the University of Wolverhampton. “The wealth of experience we have gained with metal 3D printing enables us to prepare our students for the manufacturing scenarios of tomorrow. At the same time it is an important distinguishing feature in comparison to other universities.”

Industrial 3D printing has been, and will continue to be, a driving force in large-scale manufacturing of metal and polymer components, so anyone working to ramp up innovation and develop the technology further needs to have a solid understanding of the principles and potential of additive manufacturing. This makes it increasingly critical to start training what’s being called the first generation of ‘additive natives.’

Earlier this year, EOS said that it would offer its customers metal additive manufacturing and safety training, and this week, the company announced that its Academia program has expanded, in order to promote powder-based 3D printing at universities and research institutions. The purpose of the program is to enable students and scientists alike to educate themselves on innovative technology, like 3D printing, by providing universities and research institutions with advanced technology. The benefits for participating institutions will be great, including exclusive access to regular additive manufacturing updates like white papers, sample applications, and activities designed specifically for the academic field.

“As a technology and market leader, it is essential for us to prepare the scientists and students of today for the professional requirements of tomorrow,” said Dr. Adrian Keppler, CEO and Speaker of the Corporate Management at EOS GmbH. “For this reason, with our Academia program we are specifically promoting universities and research institutions by providing them with the best possible and state-of-the-art equipment.”

As it stands, the EOS Academia program offers participants helpful ways to enter the additive manufacturing world: the company has included training courses, webinars, and other education options in the program, along with its own 3D systems, like the EOS M290, and two entry-level machines from Sintratec. EOS notes eligibility requirements for program enrollment include recognition as an educational institution, use of EOS systems for at least 50% of their educational courses, and agreement not to exploit the systems for commercial production.

In order for participating universities and research institutions to establish an additive manufacturing knowledge base, they will have exclusive access to three new package programs.

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  [Image: Sintratec]

  Freshman module: designed for institutions that want to learn 3D printing basics and integrate them into their own courses. The included Sintratec Kit, which has the basic equipment for a powder-based 3D printing system, allows trainers to apply and then teach the fundamental principles of the technology.
• Graduate module: allows institutions to begin working with, and teaching, 3D printing technology on a practical basis right away. This module includes a Sintratec S1 laser sintering system, along with a training course that will end in an EOS Academia Certificate.
• Scientist module: this is for institutions that wish to exploit all of the possibilities that industrial 3D printing opens up for educational and research purposes. It includes metal and polymer EOS systems, and a multi-day training course at EOS.

Participating institutions will be able to increase their level of appeal to potential students and researchers as centers of education for additive manufacturing, and can work to offer a range of courses focused on important 3D printing technology topics. From all of the registrations it receives for the Academia program by October 20th, EOS will also draw 10 winners who will receive a Sintratec Kit.

Discuss in the EOS Academia Program forum thread at 3DPB.com.