The Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network (AAMN) Hack2025 podcast highlights an innovative hackathon where students collaborated with industry partners to solve real-world manufacturing challenges using additive manufacturing. Students designed custom jigs and fixtures for companies, demonstrating the power of cross-disciplinary problem-solving and showcasing Alberta's emerging advanced manufacturing talent. The discussion explores how these collaborative projects bridge education and industry, fostering skills development and technological innovation.

Printing Solutions: Alberta's Next-Gen Innovators Tackle Manufacturing Challenges

Are you an engineer wanting to learn about design for additive manufacturing? Can you spend 3-8 hours per week over a 2 month period to learn a new skill?

Register as a participant by JANUARY 10 to:

• Gain exposure to digital tools in design, engineering, AM, etc. (from ideation to testing)

• Develop your understanding around the concept of design for AM

• Receive hands-on experience with the above

• Connect with industry peers and develop collaborative relationships

• Raise your industry profile through a project presentation at SmartMTX May 15-16, 2024

• Potentially develop a relationship with the end-user

• Earn APEGA PD credits

Are you a company wanting to take advantage of additive manufacturing, but don’t have the time or resources? Do you have a problem that could be solved with the re-engineering of complex parts with a part count reduction, or by having replacement components fabricated with a faster turnaround to reduce production downtime?

Submit a project by JANUARY 10 to:

• Receive a reduced or potentially free solution development cost

• Support local industry and develop digital skills and AM expertise in local industry

• Better solution / value added vs. traditionally designed / developed / existing solution

• Raise your ESG profile with clients and the public

Industrial Additive Manufacturing Hackathon Challenge - Software

The Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network (AAMN), the Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Cluster (MEE) and Red Deer Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) are partnering to host an industrial additive manufacturing hackathon challenge.

What is the IAM hackathon challenge?

In this industry-focused design hackathon, teams of engineers will design their selected project for additive manufacturing in context of:

Design

Simulation

Materials selection

Post processing

Quality control

The teams’ designs will be fabricated and tested, the business case for the additive manufacturing design changes will be developed, and the knowledge gained from the projects will be shared publicly. Participants can register as a team or be mixed with engineers from other companies.

Industrial Additive Manufacturing Hackathon Challenge - Jig & Fixture Design

Dive deep into the world of additive manufacturing as we unravel the mysteries of polymers! In this series, we break down the basics, exploring how these versatile materials are transforming industries through 3D printing. From the science behind their composition to their vast applications, join us on a journey to understand why polymers are the backbone of modern additive manufacturing. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just curious about the future of production, Alain from i3D offers insights for everyone. Tune in and discover the boundless potential of polymers in 3D printing!

Thank-you to our sponsor, i3D.

http://www.invent-innovate-inspire.com/

AM Primer - Polymers

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is leading the way, shaping the next industrial revolution.  Recent technological advances in metal additive are disrupting manufacturing.

What is so different about additive manufacturing?

Traditional (subtractive) manufacturing such as milling, turning, etc., remove material to achieve the final shape of the product. Metal additive manufacturing differs, by starting with a metallic powder that is spread into a thin layer, bonding these layers and stacking layer by layer to create a part.

Additive Manufacturing 101

Welcome to the Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network!

In our first episode, we discuss AM in Alberta and why the Network exists.  From Polymers to Metal, Design to Post Processing, AAMN is your source for learning everything there is to know about AM.

AAMN Introduction

Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network Podcast Series.