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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDuring the 2024 WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, about 1,400 young people from nearly 70 countries and regions competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in 59 skills, including additive manufacturing. Photo: Pierre-Aymeric Dillies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From 10 to 15 September 2024, the city of Lyon, France, welcomed the 47th WorldSkills Competition with young competitors from all over the world. WorldSkills International, a charity formerly known as the International Vocational Training Organization (IVTO), operates in 85 countries and regions. Founded in the 1940s with the goal of creating new employment opportunities for young people in some of the economies that were devastated by the Second World War, it describes itself as a global hub for skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WorldSkills competitions aim at demonstrating the advantages of learning a vocational skill and encouraging ‘parity of esteem’ between vocational and academic qualifications. In addition to showcasing the extraordinary talents of their competitors, they underscore the critical need to break biases in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and to create equitable access to skills for all. Moreover, the competitions highlight excellence and show how these skills can lead to a fulfilling career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWorldSkills is more than just a competition\u2014it brings together the best young professionals in their fields, both nationally and internationally,\u201d says Rapha\u00ebl Criado, silver medalist in the 2024 WorldSkills additive manufacturing competition. \u201cBeing part of such an environment of excellence inspired me to give my absolute best, with the goal of reaching those levels and aiming for the highest medal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the WorldSkills Lyon 2024, about 1,400 young people from nearly 70 countries and regions competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in 59 skills, from technology and construction to creative arts and service industries. In line with the WorldSkill organization\u2019s claim “To raise the profile and recognition of skilled people, and show how important skills are in achieving economic growth and personal success,\u201c these included comparatively recent, future-oriented additions such as additive manufacturing in the Manufacturing and Engineering category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More commonly known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing is one of the newest and fastest-growing branches of engineering. While traditional manufacturing methods such as milling and turning cut away material to create the desired end product, additive manufacturing creates objects such as design prototypes from three-dimensional models by building up layers of material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AM technicians require a wide range of knowledge, skil, and generic attributes, including a thorough understanding of the equipment for 3D printing and scanning, and the characteristics of the materials used, along with applied mathematics, geometry and Computer Aided Design and Engineering (CAD and CAE).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n While typically complementing rather than substituting milling and turning, additive manufacturing can be a more agile way to create strong and complex objects, such as prototypes, for industry and designers with less waste. However, using this technology requires a new approach to design and manufacturing. This includes a thorough understanding of the equipment for 3D printing and scanning, and the characteristics of the materials used, along with applied mathematics, geometry and Computer Aided Design and Engineering (CAD and CAE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n AM technicians require a wide range of knowledge, skills and generic attributes. As the competition emphasizes vocational rather than academic education, it does not distinguish between theoretical and practical tests. Considering skills are a key factor in securing future workforce qualification, it pursues a holistic approach. Candidates in the additive manufacturing category can score points in fields ranging from work organization and management, communication and interpersonal skills to 3D digitalization, component or structural optimization and transfer to CAD and on to optimization, preparation and forming, finalizing and work piece delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Five of the 2024 WorldSkills competitors in additive manufacturing achieved medals. Gold went to Doin Yun from South Korea, while Rapha\u00ebl Criado from France and China\u2019s Xiaojiao Luo each came away with a silver medal. In addition, Prem Vasanth Kumar from India and Matheus Palha from Brazil received medallions for excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat motivated me to join the WorldSkills adventure in additive manufacturing was, above all, my passion for my field,\u201d says Rapha\u00ebl Criado. \u201cIt\u2019s been five years since I discovered 3D design and additive manufacturing, and the possibilities feel limitless. This industry fascinates me and pushes me to challenge myself constantly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Participants in the WorldSkills 2024 additive manufacturing contest used NX software from Siemens, including the software\u2019s smart mechanisms for topology optimization to meet strength requirements while minimizing material usage and weight.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The role of additive manufacturing technicians requires an understanding of the properties and characteristics of materials, of applied mathematics, and geometry in particular. Concerning 3D design methods, it covers 3D scanning, metrology, scan-to-CAD redesigning, CAE, build process analysis and post-processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the global level, I got the chance to apply every aspect of my craft, from 3D design and printing for technologies like FFF, DLP and resin, to 3D scanning, reverse engineering and material optimization using metrology tools like calipers,\u201d Rapha\u00ebl Criado recalls. \u201cThe challenges covered diverse, technical subjects, such as designing a construction helmet, crafting turbine components and optimizing structural frames.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the WorldSkills additive manufacturing competition, participants used Siemens Digital Industries Software solutions, including NX\u2122 out of the Siemens Xcelerator business platform of software, hardware and services. \u201cNX software is a comprehensive portfolio of 3D software for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering. It features a comprehensive set of proven design tools for additively manufactured parts,\u201d says Emilien Goetz, presales at Siemens, who was on the Siemens team supporting WorldSkills contestants using this software most of them are not familiar with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These include tools enabling users to work with non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS), facet\/mesh, and even sub-division bodies interchangeably and together in the same part. They also support automated lattice structure creation and include smart mechanisms for topology optimization to meet strength requirements while minimizing material usage and weight. NX also includes a series of integrated solutions for validating designs against various process requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cNX software is a comprehensive portfolio of 3D software for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering. It features a comprehensive set of proven design tools for additively manufactured parts,\u201d says Emilien Goetz, presales at Siemens, who was on the Siemens team supporting WorldSkills contestants using this software that most of them are not familiar with.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cDuring the competition, I explored the full potential of additive manufacturing,\u201d says Rapha\u00ebl Criado, silver medalist in the 2024 WorldSkills additive manufacturing competition. \u201cUsing Siemens NX to prepare 3D metal laser prints was a standout experience; the software was intuitive and comprehensive, perfect for projects of this scale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cSiemens has been a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills International since October 2010\u201d, says Jonathan Frechard, Portfolio Development at Siemens. \u201cIn skills like automation and mechatronic, Siemens has been providing both hardware and software and acts as a main sponsor.\u201d Furthermore, NX additive manufacturing software features are embedded in the leading combined machine tools from DMG for both subtractive and additive manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are the changemakers. You are the people who are now going out into the world, to shape it and to find new paths to address the challenges we face,\u201d said Chris Humphries, President of WorldSkills, to the gathered champions during the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Lyon 2024. \u201cWe need your creativity, your bold ambition and your exceptional skills. Go forward knowing that we believe in you and we all want you to thrive.\u201d That said, he handed over the flag to representatives from Shanghai, the host city for the next WorldSkills competition in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cWorldSkills also offered me valuable exposure on social media, especially LinkedIn, which has opened many doors,\u201d says Rapha\u00ebl Criado, who is now employed by a French defense and aerospace corporation, focusing there on tooling design and additive manufacturing. \u201cParticipating in this competition was a true springboard, and I\u2019m proud to now serve as an ambassador to inspire young and future competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are proud to be able to help young people get ready for the future challenges of engineering and manufacturing with our software and support,\u201d says Emilien Goetz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur ambition really goes far beyond this,\u201d adds Jonathan Frechard: \u201c[With the] in-depth familiarity with cutting-edge software and the improved, highly efficient processes this facilitates, young people like Rapha\u00ebl Criado can give their future employers a competitive edge and a push towards a more sustainable future.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkills vital to shape the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A transformative production method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nQualified for a future workforce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCovering all aspects of the craft<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Using cutting edge additive manufacturing support software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOut to shape the world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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