Abstract:

The Centro Universitario de la Defensa (CUD-AGM) in Spain was founded in 2009 as a public higher education center affiliated with the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and located within the grounds of the Academia General Militar (AGM). The 2010-11 academic year significantly changed the curriculum of the cadets by adopting the guidelines of the European Higher Education Area, meaning that these cadets will obtain two qualifications: a degree in Management Engineering and a commission as an army lieutenant. One of the goals of the CUD is to provide the technical development for the degree in Management Engineering for future army officers.

This degree gives the student a broad knowledge in the fields of technology and business administration. In the case of Defense, this Degree course will provide Army officers with the training required to carry out their professional activities, enabling them to attend to the demands of military organizations, preparation at unit level and deployment in military operations.

One of the subjects taught in the fourth year of the degree is Project Management which focuses on project management methodology as a key tool for an engineer. This methodology provides the student with the necessary skills to be able to understand, plan and solve any technical or management project in the industrial, civil or military field. It fosters the development of general competences like team work, self-learning and the capacity for theoretical concept application. A final project is carried out by the students in groups applying the theoretical concepts acquired.

Due to the variety of the project’s thematic, some of them focus on product development management and could incorporate small designs during the product development cycle using parametric 3D modeling tools. Basic related concepts are acquired in Graphic Expression and Computer Aided Design subject in the first degree course. Among the advantages of 3D modeling is the ability to quickly create a prototype using additive manufacturing or 3D printing. This type of techniques allows to validate experimentally the geometry of the designs in few hours and with reduced costs.

This paper presents the experience of using additive manufacturing as a support tool in the development of projects in the subject Project Management. Additive Manufacturing is a disruptive, highly emerging technology in the Defense sector due to its capability to produce tailored products on demand and next to the point of use. This experience carried out by the authors allows to approach new technological advances to the students as well as increase their motivation through real applications of their product designs.

Keywords:

Project Management, additive manufacturing, 3D modelling tools, higher education.