The University of Louisville is Set to Open a New 3D Printing Training Facility

Manufacturing safety sciences company UL LLC is partnering with the University of Louisville to open a new 3D printing and additive manufacturing training center. The UL Additive Manufacturing Competency Center (UL AMCC) is expected to open right next to the U of L campus in time for 2015’s fall classes. The UL AMCC is intended to be utilised by students with established additive manufacturing experience looking to augment their current skill level with current up to date technologies and procedures.

The UL Additive Manufacturing Competency Center 3D printing training facility is expected to open fall 2015.

Both the University and Louisville and UL LLC will be co-owners of the UL AMCC facility offering a curriculum centered around hands-on training with metal 3D printing techniques and technology. The classes will help students set up print jobs, make design corrections, set up AM equipment, object post-processing, final parts inspection and testing and validation. The curriculum will also focus on working with new and emerging materials, develop workflow safety systems, identify potential hazards from materials and equipment and 3D print parts with safety features built into final designs.

“Applying the University of Louisville’s deep and practical research expertise in metals and manufacturing education with UL’s rich history in safety science will bridge the workforce development gap and empower professionals with cutting-edge training in this advanced technology. Through the UL AMCC, UL is committed to meeting ever-evolving safety and quality needs and accelerating knowledge transfers within the 3D printing industry,” said Keith Williams, UL CEO.

The University of Louisville already has an established additive manufacturing and materials research infrastructure in place that will be augmented by the new 10,000 square foot UL AMCC facility. The curriculum will be co-developed by the university and UL, who will be responsible for course registration, sales and marketing. The university plans to train at least 100 students in the first year and hopes to expand that up to 900 students by the 2019 school year.

The UL AMCC curriculum will be closely monitored and updated every six to twelve months in order to make sure that the classes being offered are teaching up to date and cutting edge technology. UL will also be developing an official additive manufacturing certification program by the 2016 school year. The certification program will help students transition their current, traditional manufacturing techniques and technologies into new, more efficient 3D printing techniques and technologies.

“We anticipate the UL AMCC will expand over time to take on additional innovations to advance manufacturing. As additive manufacturing gets deeper and more integrated into production lines, the training center will evolve real time to arm workforces with the most up-to-date knowledge and best practices, ” said UL’s vice president of Digital Manufacturing Technologies Simin Zhou.

The facility that will be housing the UL AMCC also houses U of L’s global advanced manufacturing campus and the Institute for Product Realization (IPR) which will allow them to share knowledge. The campus also includes other corporate presences, including General Electric and Local Motors’ FirstBuild.

You can learn more about the University of Louisville’s partnership with UL and their AMCC by visiting their website, or you can inquire about specific courses, requirements and clas specifics by emailing 3dprinting@ul.com. And if you intend to take the classes when offered let us know in the New University of Louisville 3D Printing Training Facility forum at 3DPB.com.