EDUCATIONAL OFFER OF 3D PRINTING IN EUROPE AND ITS ADAPTATION TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE INDUSTRIAL NEEDS

3D printing is gaining attention due to its wide range of possibilities in very varied applications and fields: architecture, engineering, medicine and clothing, among others. Different techniques are used in 3D printing: Stereolithographic (SLA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) are well-known, but they still have weaknesses such as low efficiency and maintenance. The emergence of Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP), a new more efficient and easy to use 3D printing technology, almost universal to all liquid polymers, has promoted an industrial revolution where products can be made both efficiently with minimal environmental impact. This opens the door to new fabrication opportunities, disrupting traditional supply chains.

The broad adoption of 3D printing in the industry, and also in other fields such as education, art, medicine, etc., is often stifled due to 3D printers being too difficult to use, without insufficient educational and learning and training support at present time. The situation is becoming slightly better because a community of different level educators, VET programmes offers, etc., is rising. But, as new 3D printing technologies, materials and potential designs rapidly arise, there is also a need for a qualitative upgrade and keeping consistent and adequate level of educational support (together with the help of available ICT tools).

This work aims to identify the strongest points of the current EU offer in 3D printing and in which aspects they should improve and how they should be updated according to the current technological and industrial needs and available ICT tools. To do this, a survey has been launched for different target groups in different EU countries. The goal has been to collect the view of the surveyed groups about the current educational and training programmes offered for the 3D sector. Different target groups have been identified: EU enterprises and other stakeholders related to 3D sector, such as universities, VET institutions, students, chambers of commerce, regional development agencies, etc. They are close to Innovation and 3D printing industries due to their scope, geographical situation or any other reason. The results shed light on the wide interest in learning about 3Dprinting, lack of available education and training programmes for 3D printing and the need to put effort in training on 3D printing in the school curriculum, among others.

Acknowledgement:
This work has been developed under the European Erasmus+ project ERASMUS3D+.