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Anneke Orlandini (AO): "Advanced Manufacturing (AM) is an industry approach that uses new technologies such as automation, robotics, 3D printing and AI to optimise production processes. It can be used to increase efficiency, reduce errors and manufacture more complex products faster than in the traditional way.
I am very interested in this area as it offers a wide range of applications and brings with it numerous technological and process-related challenges. Here I can develop methods and approaches to optimise and better understand processes, which I find extremely rewarding. AM is constantly evolving and is full of novelties and stimuli, so the experience is always exciting and never boring."
Manuel Marbach (MM): "My colleague put it aptly: 'Advanced Manufacturing' claims to use innovative technologies and processes to improve existing manufacturing processes and create new ones. In my view, an AM is a nice 'brand name' for the fact that you are continuously developing.
What football is to others, technology and science are to me. Ever since my apprenticeship as a polymechanic, I have been passionate about metal. I then spent five years overhauling gas turbine power plants around the world as a fitter and only then went on to study at a technical college (BSc, MSc).
I would never have been able to do this without my passion for the subject. However, my time in assembly also had a huge impact on me in terms of optimising systems and processes. The basic idea of "Advanced Manufacturing" in combination with my technical passion fits like a glove. It's my vocation."
MM: "I have been working for three years in the field of additive technologies (laser metal deposition) and their process optimisation using new process monitoring and closed-loop control. It was in this context that my supervisor approached me about SAMCE.
In my opinion, the opportunity to exchange ideas with other scientists and students from other universities and to take part in a conference with high-quality presentations is unbeatable. There were many very good presentations and I plan to attend next time. Firstly because of these presentations and secondly because the exchange with other like-minded people is very valuable."
AO: "My research focus is on femtosecond laser ablation in the biomedical field. This technology offers precise control of the surface topography of implants and has the potential to promote bone growth and reduce the risk of bacterial growth, thereby addressing a global problem in reducing antibiotic use.
Nevertheless, the technology is currently not attractive in the industrial sector due to production times and the limited correlations between process parameters and biological behaviour of the devices, which is why targeted research activities are required in this area.
Participating in the SAMCE is an experience that I welcome with enthusiasm, as it represents a moment of meeting and getting to know young researchers who, like me, operate in this extremely dynamic and innovative sector.
It is an incredibly productive opportunity to share work, get different advice and perspectives and be inspired by projects taking place in different AM fields."
AO: "My topic 'Surface functionalisation of Ti6Al4V for orthopaedic implants' is broad and very interdisciplinary. It ranges from understanding the technology and the complex interactions between lasers and materials in a highly non-linear process to knowledge in the medical and biological field. This includes the interactions between cells and implants as well as the necessary requirements to ensure that these implants meet the required high standards.
Dealing with this variety of areas was not easy, but I think I have managed to convey the complexity of this work in a meaningful way. I have tried to emphasise the potential that exists to further improve the quality of the systems and the different directions in which this area could be developed."
MM: "My topic 'Laser Transformation Hardening (LTH) + Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)' was not a big challenge in terms of difficulty from my point of view. But the timing is merciless and the three minutes are very short. That's why you have to organise the presentation as clearly as possible and define the content. Then practise-practise-practise until the text sits without any drop-outs or 'uhs'. Practically everything I planned to say, I said in the presentation.
It's time-consuming, but not a great challenge. And I think you owe it to the audience. Everyone present takes this valuable time to listen, so they deserve to be rewarded accordingly. And that's what I really liked about the SAMCE event, that there were so many high-quality presentations. From my point of view, it was a great enrichment."
MM: "You'd have to ask the jury ;) From my point of view, I think that my topic just struck a chord and the intensive preparation for my "Engage" presentation certainly didn't hurt. Personally, I was so nervous that I can hardly remember the presentation.
The selection of presentations is very diverse, as "Advanced Manufacturing" covers an enormously large sector. One presentation in the area of simulations (Thomas Mayer) directly gave me new food for thought and also showed me how interrelated the subject areas are. I remember the presentations by Pauline Claire Fichter, Gaëtan Bernard and Lorenzo Pollicini. They confirmed methods, described processes in other materials and I was very impressed by how much other teams achieve. That's why I would say that I have benefited."
AO: "I think I won the Connect Speed Talk because I emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to excel in this type of activity. Technical skills are required, encompassing machinery, technology and processes, but biomedical skills are equally important.
The latter enables the performance of in-vitro activities and a detailed understanding of the interpretation and combination of the data obtained to gain a better knowledge of the interactions between implants and biological components.
In the context of Advanced Manufacturing (AM), it is becoming increasingly important to combine different backgrounds and form increasingly heterogeneous teams in order to maintain competitiveness in terms of research and innovation."
AO: "I have a deep passion and interest in the world of medical technology. I strongly believe in the potential of this technology, which offers a great advantage thanks to its applicability on a wide range of materials, from inorganic to organic. Currently, femtosecond technology is used for corneal remodelling surgery. I envisage that in the future this technology could be used for a range of other tasks, both in manufacturing and as an interventional tool in the operating theatre."
MM: "My scientific and practical future will be with lasers in manufacturing. In Switzerland, we have fantastic graduates from ETH and EPFL for the high-tech sector and the basics. Between them and the SMEs/large companies, someone has to make the technologies fit for use. The manufacturing processes must be stable, resilient and efficient. I see my role for Swiss industry in this interface.
My presentation shows the solution to a problem in this area: existing systems are extremely rigid and inflexible. That's why LMD/LH manufacturing processes are only used where they can be expensive and the technological aspects take centre stage. The new flexible laser beam mould system gives the industrial user additional freedom and possibilities. They can fulfil two machining processes with one system (= space and cost savings) and carry out more complex work.
