UL and Ricoh announce Training Collaboration to focus on Additive Manufacturing education
NORTHBROOK, Ill., and MALVERN, Pa. - UL, a global safety science organization, and Ricoh USA, Inc., a technology and services company, today announced a collaboration through which the two companies will provide training to UL and Ricoh customers. The initial goal of the relationship is to promote the proper usage and advancement of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies via UL AM training that leverages Ricoh’s proven services and training expertise. The program will initially be held at Ricoh’s US-based dedicated training locations and then will scale to other geographies in the Americas.
“Ricoh is a key supplier to the AM industry and has a rich history of service and manufacturing innovation. Our team of services and training experts fully understands how to help other manufacturers adopt and integrate new technology, and can help lead advancements in AM innovation, safety and quality education,” said Glen Mandernacht, Senior Vice President, Service Advantage, Ricoh USA, Inc. “We’re committed to helping organizations transform by leveraging Ricoh’s capabilities to innovate their business. Our relationship with UL is a direct outcome of this commitment.”
UL’s three-tier AM training curriculum, which spans introductory industry topics through more advanced design, technical and hands-on AM learning, focuses on the continued learning and development of AM technical and business professionals.
As part of the agreement, UL will utilize its AM train-the-trainer program to on-board Ricoh experts to deliver AM training classes to both UL and Ricoh customers. Initially, Ricoh will deliver the first two tiers of the curriculum, which includes foundational level learning as well as more complex design, material, process, business and quality and safety courses.
Ricoh and UL plan to launch the training initiative during March of 2017 at Ricoh’s Lawrenceville, Georgia location, just outside Atlanta. Registration for these courses is currently open. Following the launch, Ricoh will expand the training program to its Irvine, California location and beyond.
“Ricoh and UL are working to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing through our shared manufacturing and innovation services. By leveraging Ricoh’s extensive expertise in services and training, along with its significant infrastructure of manufacturing centers, we can drive AM knowledge into the manufacturing sector faster and more consistently,” said Simin Zhou, UL Vice President of UL Digital Manufacturing.