NEWS During 7–10 October, the GE Garages skill-building innovation global tour will take place at Umeå University’s Sliperiet. The objective of the four day event is to promote interest in technology, innovation and digital manufacturing. The latest cutting-edge equipment will be on display, from 3D printers and CNC machining to laser cutters.
Additive and digital manufacturing is having a profound impact on how we design, produce and consume products and services, and will also have a major effect on society and traditional industry. Umeå University is investing heavily in this new technology and was one of the initiators of last year's national research and innovation agenda for additive manufacturing. A prerequisite for Sweden to take a leading position in this field is collaboration. Several leading companies and representatives of Umeå University and Umeå Municipality will participate in a packed programme of exciting lectures, workshops and “test it yourself” opportunities.
"The idea is that GE Garages will lead to new ideas and new partnerships between the region's manufacturing companies, companies in design, architecture and IT, scientists and students with an interest in the digital manufacturing technology - an important part of the s future competitiveness of Swedish industry," says Marlene Johansson, Director of Sliperiet – Umeå University's innovation space with prototyping workshops and instruments for visualisation in the forefront of digitial manufacturing technology.
GE Garages has its kick-off on Wednesday 7 October with a 48 hour long Makeathon challenge, a type of marathon for problem-solving "techies." Participants will try and solve the challenge with the theme “How to prevent lifestyle diseases?” while incorporating the home environment or the working environment into the equation. Equipment and experienced professionals from GE Healthcare and Sliperiet will be accessible for support.
"It is exciting that a group of students accepted the challenge! I am really looking forward to and sharing their creativity and innovative thinking, which I believe will challenge the current way of looking at preventive health," says Inger Rönnberg, Project Office Manager at GE Healthcare in Umeå.
Early in the morning on Thursday 8 October, a breakfast keynote speech will be held on the industrial internet titled the Internet of Things – What’s the Internet? What happens when industrial manufacturing shifts towards digitalization and how can Swedish industry retain its edge and stay innovative in this global development? The days continues with seminars including one in which Olaf Diegel, professor in product development at Lund University, presents an overview of the novel possibilities of digital production, such as 3D printing, and what’s important to think about when designing for it. Furthermore, a case that GE Healthcare started in January 2015, together with the industrial design company Strukturdesign, will be presented.
Read more about GE Garages (Registration is required to participate in GE Garage events)
Umeå University is making major investments in the new technology, and Sliperiet will be a centre for digital manufacturing with med workshops like FabLab and SoftLab. In the upcoming days an interdisciplinary FoU project, +Project will begin, with the main object of developing strong areas of research and innovation, and regional clusters in digital manufacturing, sustainable development and 3D technology.
Marlene JohanssonDirector of Sliperiet, Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 (0)72-533 9921
E-mail: Marlene.johansson@umu.seInger RönnbergProject Office Manager, GE Healthcare in UmeåPhone: +46(0)90-15 03 53Mobile: +46 (0)70-668 5707
E-mail: inger.ronnberg@ge.com
Editor: David Meyers