Finding well-qualified talent can be quite a challenge, especially for
high-tech companies. Rudolf Franz, CFO of voxeljet in Augsburg, is well
aware of this problem: "As a manufacturer of 3D print systems with an
attached service centre, we are one of the fastest growing companies in
the region. Qualified employees form the backbone of our company,
therefore we are very concerned about the possibility of skilled labour
shortages. As a result, we view the promotion of young talent as a
societal duty, and have recently donated a 3D printer to the
International School Augsburg (ISA)."
3D print technology will revolutionise industrial production in the next
few years. Whether architecture models, hip joints, mobile phones or
running shoes – many products will be made with 3D printers in the
future. Therefore it is very important that pupils become familiar with
these machines now. This issue is also close to Marcus Wagner's heart.
Hence ISA's Managing Director is very pleased with the voxeljet
donation: "This printer provides the school with a special tool to offer
pupils insights into design practice. This can create enthusiasm for
future fields of study that require extensive knowledge in mathematics,
informatics, natural sciences and technology. Germany and Europe need
well-qualified young talent, particularly in the MINT areas, to remain
competitive at a global level."
With the new printer, ISA can offer its pupils all of the possible
options for designing an interdisciplinary teaching programme for
natural science subjects. It is possible to design a 3D model using free
software, such as Google Sketchup. ISA teaches its pupils theoretical
design basics as part of the school's natural science course offerings.
The product designed by the pupils can then be "printed" and examined as
a real-life object.
