3DWebEPL
3D Web-based learning and training in the field of the Enterprise Product Lifecycle

Manufacturing market have become today complex and globalized, where product life is rapidly decreasing, product structure is more frequently changed and customer-oriented: manufacturers have to develop and produce more complex products in less time while still competing in global markets. In addition, the 20th century technological developments have transformed the majority of wealth-creating work from physically-based to “knowledge-based”. Technology and knowledge are now the key factors of production. The latest developments in the net infrastructure, guaranteed by the actual anti digital divide efforts implemented all over the world, has increased the information, knowledge and expertise mobility, that could be transported instantaneously around the world. To meet these challenges it is necessary to improve the design culture providing more innovative design methodologies and tools based on 3D technologies (that guarantee powerful and flexible platform for collaboration and communication disjoined by any geographical constraints), together with the appropriate knowledge for the technicians and engineering involved in the product development. More than this, considering that the building of designer skills requires laboratory and workshop practice, difficultly provided to young people, elderly, disabled by traditional learning infrastructures in the European community, it is necessary to supply this unsatisfied demand of qualifying lifelong learning and training by the means of new tools and technologies based on 3D Web Technologies. In order to overcome this difficulty, the previous Leonardo WEBD project (Web-based learning and training engineering biomedical design) proposed distance learning and training for high skill professional profiles using interactive 3D graphic and Web3D virtual reality tools and has introduced and promoted, for the first time in Europe, the third dimension in the distance learning.
The new Leonardo Multilateral Projects ‘Transfer of Innovation’ 3D Web-based learning and training in the field of the Enterprise Product Lifecycle (3DWebEPL) has the aim to transfer and to adapt the 3D innovative content and results from previous Leonardo WEBD project to improve SME vocational training system, promoting an efficient collaboration network over product development, focusing its attention on tools for sharing information and knowledge in various company divisions.
The final product of the project will be a web platform for distance learning, based on 3D web technologies and usable by all the possible users on the European territory. Through the presence of modules oriented to the mechanical field a solid competence about CAD/CAE/CAM/Mock-up/PLMs techniques will be provided to SME employees, facilitating their collaboration in the development of new more complex and competitive products.
The previous experience developed with the partners coming from the different countries of the European community, such as Romania, proves its engagement to supply this tool also in those countries (as Turkey) that need innovation in the technologies of product development in order to make them more competitive in the global economy.
The main impact of the project will mainly concern high proficiency technicians training able to employ the new technologies for the product development, sharing the enterprise knowledge within the actors engaged in the design team.

PROJECT AIM: Justification of the Proposal

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