Alfie: I recently visited Wayland Additive in Huddersfield with a group of fellow apprentices. The visit was organised by Training School Manager, Robert Farrell, to show us a local company that is making advancements in metal additive manufacturing.
During the visit, we learned about the company’s work in metal powder bed fusion and had the opportunity to see their machines in operation. It was interesting to see how they use additive manufacturing technology and learn more about the processes involved.
During the visit I learnt that the 3D printing process releases a positive charge, which can create a risk of explosions. To reduce this risk, a negatively charged plasma is released into the build chamber. I also learned that 3D printing can be used to manufacture parts from very hard materials such as tungsten.
The visit helped me understand how metal additive manufacturing may affect the machining industry in the future and highlighted the growing importance of additive manufacturing within engineering. It also showed how the technology can produce more complex geometries and provide greater design freedom.
The highlight of the day for me was seeing the machines working in person and learning about the technology and software developed by Wayland Additive to support the manufacturing process. I also enjoyed speaking with the machine operators and hearing about their experiences in engineering and the career paths that led them to the company. Overall, the visit was a valuable opportunity to learn more about additive manufacturing, meet people working in a similar sector, and gain a broader understanding of how engineering technologies are continuing to develop.
