Future of the Technician Workforce Study

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

TOOLS Additive Processes:  Selective laser sintering (SLS)  Stereolithography  Powder bed fusion (PBF)  Subtractive processes (i.e., milling) for secondary finishing Metrology and Characterization:  Coordinate measuring machine (CMM)  Non-destructive testing tools  Tensile/compression testing  X-Ray inspection Software:  Design software suites for both additive and  Data modeling tools (i.e., Geomagic)  Process optimization simulation software (i.e., SolidWorks)  Laser/optical 3D scanning technologies (i.e., reverse engineering tools)  3D scanning software  File conversion software (i.e., *.stl file conversion) subtractive processes (i.e., Autodesk Generative Design)

TECHNICAL SKILLS General:  Knowledge of materials science and engineering, material properties  Measuring techniques: calipers, micrometers, scales, etc.  Understanding dimensional process limits and envelope limitations  Knowledge of subtractive manufacturing constraints  Familiarity with key data formats and file conversion meth- ods  Fixturing non-standard shapes for inspection; repeatable fixturing  Application development (i.e., equipment user interfaces)  Prototyping  Quality control Design & Optimization:  Computer-aided design (CAD)  Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) methods; optimization of cost, cycle time, quality, and performance (part density, strength)  Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA)  Additive process development  Datum mapping and modeling  Design and removal of support structures for additively manufactured objects  Understanding of critical/risky procedures process to be replicated in 3D model Analytical Methods:  Consistent application of the scientific method  Research and requirements gathering  Basic material analysis capabilities (including powder analysis)  Visualization in 3D SOFT SKILLS  Imagination  Open-minded “thinking in both worlds”  Systems thinking  Team dynamics/communication  Safety training  Function-based material selection techniques (i.e., alignment with product/project objectives)

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