With each passing year it becomes even clearer that more and more companies are choosing AM. However, the market is concerned with a major problem for greater acceptance: a lack of training and further education opportunities. Due to a lack of knowledge, it seems that a number of companies do not yet dare to approach 3D printing. And this is where Amadde comes in. By using the educational platform, the company hopes to get more people and companies interested in additive manufacturing. This should be done through knowledge transfer. Regardless of whether it is basic or advanced knowledge. Benjamin Haller, the founder of Amadde, explains how the company works and why it is so important to be able to guarantee access to knowledge, especially in the field of AM.
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3DN: Can you introduce yourself and Amadde?
My name is Benjamin, I’m from Germany and I’ve been working in the additive manufacturing industry for about 6 years. I have always specialized in enabling companies to get started with AM. In Germany I started in the consulting department of a machine manufacturer. I have helped companies to find suitable applications for additive manufacturing. After that, I worked in Sweden for a research institute of a total of eleven large industrial companies. This allowed me to focus even more on the user side before I recently founded Amadde for Education.
Benjamin Haller is the founder of Amadde
Amadde sees itself as an independent online learning platform for additive manufacturing. It pursues the goal of giving every person and company access to AM and getting the most out of it. As a result, designers, engineers, managers and just about any professional can learn how AM can improve entire processes. Thanks to cooperation with leading institutions in the AM market, we can offer live courses. These help users to better understand additive manufacturing. On the other hand, users can also book individual consultation appointments with AM experts on the platform or exchange views on the subject of AM in one of the forums. Amadde therefore offers a wide range of services: from the basics to the most important topics of additive manufacturing to the final implementation with the right experts.
3DN: How did you come up with the idea of Amadde? And what specific needs do you cover with it?
Already while working with small and medium industrial companies I realized that I could possibly teach 1500 people and work with 50 to 100 companies. However, I haven’t been able to reach the level I’ve been aiming for. In addition, I had to realize that the topics have not changed very much over time. So I have set myself a personal goal to develop something that is not only scalable, but can also reach as many people as possible. While there was already good knowledge in the AM market, in most cases it was tied to a specific technology or company. It was therefore important to me to create an offer on a platform that combines the right and leading content.
The education platform Amadde
3DN: What importance do you place on education in AM?
In recent years I have noticed more and more that many companies would like to use AM. However, they had trouble understanding HOW to best use it. There have also been changes since the beginning: the training here was primarily for designers and managers, this has shifted towards training for the general public, including sales and purchasing. I had to realize that, especially in leading companies, only a small proportion of employees are familiar with additive manufacturing. The opportunities these companies are missing out on in such cases simply because the employees do not have enough knowledge about AM is great.
3DN: Can you elaborate on the three distinct focus areas of Amadde’s platform?
First, there are the online courses where we offer four modules: AM Basics, Part Identification, Metal Technologies and Polymer Technologies. In addition to countless videos and interactive content, each module also has additional material to read. The program lasts 1 to 2 hours per module and includes additional quizzes. Here the participant can test his knowledge. Finally, each participant receives a certificate. These online tutorials are particularly aimed at AM professionals in companies, as they are given access to the platform as an administrator. They can then invite different employees to groups. For example, a group for designers can be formed, in which all necessary courses are added. Or even a group specifically for managers who may just need the basics and partial labeling knowledge. All administrators also have the possibility to see the learning progress of the respective employees, so that in the end the right applications for the right people can be identified.
One module deals with the process of 3D metal printing
We also offer the knowledge hub: here we work together with leading institutions in the AM market to be able to incorporate their range of live courses on similar topics. This also includes topics at an advanced level, such as real AM production or in-depth design. Once an engineer has identified a specific application, he and his colleagues can then book a live course via the knowledge hub. The third focus of Amadde is to be able to advise all companies and individuals individually through a 30-minute consultation slot. Here, for example, the feasibility of certain applications from a course can be discussed. Or if there are ambiguities about certain manufacturing processes of parts, this can be discussed in detail.
I really hope that through Amadde we will be able to democratize additive manufacturing even more. We not only try to address those companies that are already working with AM and want to take it to the next level, but also new companies that have no experience with AM. This gives the opportunity to develop AM into a technology for the entire market.
Amadde also offers 30-minute consultation slots
3DN: Do you have any final words for our readership?
I don’t really have anything else to say. However, if you are interested, you can find out more about Amadde on our website HERE.
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*All images: Amadde
