In the forthcoming semester, the University of Wolverhampton will offer the first master’s course in ‘Rapid Product Development and Advanced Manufacturing’. The course imparts knowledge which is attractive across the whole engineering sector. Students get to know, among other subjects, technologies including Direct Metal Laser-Sintering (DMLS) from EOS and learn how to use the relevant hardware such as the EOSINT M 270. This is an indication of how influential these technologies are becoming in advanced engineering.

Dr Mark Stanford, Reader in Engineering at the University, adds: “With this course of studies we want to sensitise students for trend setting technologies which turn conventional thought patterns of engineering inside-out. Following the principle of Design Driven Manufacturing, designing for manufacturability has turned into designing for functionality. With these machines, process limits really do not matter.”

Students gain design experience
using 3D modelling software, which has been supplied by EOS as part of the EOS sponsorship of the course. To maximise the potential and hence profit from the DMLS technology, it is essential to understand the design process as well as how laser-sintering technology works. Moreover, students obtain a thorough understanding of the polymers and metals they will use and get the chance to test and realise their created designs on state-of-the-art software and machines.

Backed by very strong links to industry, the University is a renowned leader in the field of DMLS for tooling and part production. In fact, they were the first in Europe to have an EOS DMLS machine capable of producing titanium parts, a technology which in the meantime has been widely adopted.

“We are more than happy, that this course of studies has been developed,” says Stuart Jackson, Regional Manager, UK & Eire at EOS. “As the government is driving the UK to high-value, design-based manufacturing technologies, we see this as a good opportunity to educate the next generation in exploring the virtues of this game-changing technology. As a consequence, this will enable them to make informed technological decisions in their future roles after completing their studies.”

With a good understanding of design, materials, rapid manufacturing and associated software, the graduates will find a wide range of opportunities open to them in areas such as motorsport, new product design, product realisation, medical devices, as well as in traditional design and manufacture. The course can be completed in one year (full-time attendance) or over two years, part-time attendance (day release). To be admitted to the course, a good honours degree in an engineering, technology or science-related subject and good standard of written and spoken English are compulsory.

About EOS
EOS was founded in 1989 and is today the world leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems. Laser-sintering is the key technology for e-Manufacturing, the fast, flexible and cost-effective production of products, patterns and tools. The technology manufactures parts for every phase of the product life cycle, directly from electronic data. Laser-sintering accelerates product development and optimizes production processes. EOS completed its business year 2008/2009 with revenues of approximately 60 million Euros. The company employs 300 people worldwide, 250 of them in Krailling near Munich, Germany.