DesignforPM – A major new online e-learning resource for designers and engineers
September 15, 2008
DesignforPM is a new e−learning course from the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) aimed mainly at industrial designers and engineers. It consists of a series of compact modules aimed at increasing the knowledge of designers and engineers from across industry, who are interested in specifying powder metallurgy PM products The outcome of a two-year project, DesignforPM will help them to design superior components/products, manufactured using the (PM) production process.
The main target sectors are the automotive, construction and light engineering industries. Four training organisations in France, Slovakia, Spain and the UK will deliver the package as part of their existing portfolios. A further use of the tremendous amount of data held in DesignforPM is that some content will also be incorporated by universities into their courses, with the objective of educating the designers and engineers of the future.
The EPMA has led the €500,000 project that forms a key part of the Association’s ongoing promotional strategy on behalf of the PM industry. Some 74% of the cost is being contributed by the EU’s Leonardo da Vinci vocational training programme, with the balance provided by the EPMA and the European PM industry partners.
Jonathan Wroe EPMA Executive Director said “This important new online resource is a major part of the drive we are making to raise awareness of the PM industry amongst designers and engineers across a wide range of industry sectors. During the last twelve months we have brought out new publications, made presentations at end user events and we will be holding a workshop for designers and engineers at our forthcoming Conference in Mannheim”.
The free online courses cover the PM Structural Parts, Hard Materials and MIM sectors. The course is now available in English with five other languages to follow shortly. To register online and see the course visit