Virtual Reality-Based Training in Additive Manufacturing: Developing a Service Concept that Adapts to Company-Specific Requirements

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has vast amount of technological opportunities, but it also necessitates specialized expertise among its specialists, adopters, users etc. As AM continues to demonstrate its potential and has high growth rates in fields of its use, applications, systems etc., the importance of AM education and training becomes increasingly evident. This paper serves as a preliminary study outlining a novel training concept for industrial AM training including microlearning units and conducted in virtual reality, focusing on the accessibility and flexibility of users. The concept has been developed as part of the ongoing industrial training project. Microlearning and virtual tool-assisted training methods offer effective and agile approaches to enhance the continuous learning of new industrial skills, enabling companies to keep pace with evolving technologies. These tools facilitate extensive customization of training, making company-specific training even more crucial for effective skill development and knowledge transfer. The design of this training concept leverages the user story mapping (USM) method, enabling a deeper understanding of company-specific requirements and needs concerning additive manufacturing training. Moreover, through questionnaires and interviews conducted during the USM process helps identify technology readiness levels (TRLs) of companies in relation to their AM adoption. Measuring TRLs provides valuable insights into the technical maturity of companies regarding additive manufacturing, as readiness levels tend to vary significantly among different organizations. The preliminary framework provided serves as a foundation for designing a modern training concept that cater to the unique requirements of different companies, fostering their successful adoption of AM technologies.