Automation Alley’s Project DIAMOnD 3D Printing Network Gets Training Boost from Going PRO Talent Fund
The need for Industry 4.0 talent has never been greater. As technology rapidly impacts advanced manufacturing, these highly skilled individuals are in extraordinary demand. That’s why Automation Alley actively seeks out funding opportunities that will ensure our current and future workforce is prepared for what’s next.
This month, Automation Alley received notice from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund that the State will give Michigan Works! $41,667 to train 37 individuals from 20 companies in our Project DIAMOnD 3D printing network.
Project DIAMOnD—which stands for Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand—was established in 2020 through CARES ACT funding grants given to Automation Alley to accelerate digital transformation among Michigan manufacturers and strengthen supply chains for developing PPE. To date, the initiative has awarded 300 3D printers to manufacturers across Michigan.
When the printers are not being used to fulfill emergency orders—like our current initiative to 3D print tourniquet parts for Ukraine—participating manufacturers use the 3D printers they received to expand their production of a variety of industrial parts and products, ultimately enhancing smart manufacturing capabilities in Michigan and throughout the United States.
The network contains companies from various manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial machining, consumer products, and more. There is a wide range of additive manufacturing experience among the users in the network. For this network to maximize its economic growth impact on the region, many companies need to strengthen their ability to integrate 3D printing into their business model, apply the equipment into their current operating process, identify new opportunities, and develop the skills needed to support 3D printing technology.
Now, through the Going Pro Talent Fund, some of these companies will have access to training they otherwise would not have. Project DIAMOnD is teaming up with three training providers that specialize in additive manufacturing—3D Center of Excellence, 3YourMind, and SME/Tooling U—to provide the training, which will take place at Automation Alley headquarters in Troy, Michigan. All three of the training options offer certifications.
The 3D Center of Excellence is a Michigan-based Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) licensed and certified to provide training across the United States. Training will include a 3D printing overview and will focus on fusion introduction and fundamentals, 3D digital design, and 3D and related work professional development and career paths.
3YourMind is a software solution for companies looking to automate, digitize, and optimize their additive manufacturing workflows. Training will focus on implementing a shop and integrating 3D printers onto the Project DIAMOnD platform.
Tooling U-SME is a workforce development/training institution. They are preferred by more than half of the Fortune 500 manufacturers for their competency-based learning solutions. Training will provide an additive manufacturing overview and focus on material extrusion, powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerization, design for additive manufacturing, and the business and economics of additive manufacturing.
“Our expectations are that multiple Project DIAMOnD employers will find success in these training programs that will help them to create business with their 3D printer, and that they will gain more knowledge of additive manufacturing that will benefit not only other members in the network, but more manufacturers in the Michigan ecosystem,” said Pavan Muzumdar, Automation Alley COO.
