Industrial Product Design: The Importance of an Advanced Machinery Park

Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen, better known as Howest, is home to a unique program: Industrial Product Design. Bart Grimonprez, Project Engineer, works in this department where prototyping takes center stage. With an extensive machinery park consisting of both traditional and advanced equipment such as 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and laser cutting machines, students can familiarize themselves with the tools they will encounter in their future careers. Laser 2000 supplied the laser cutting machine, and we are naturally very curious about the experiences of both Howest students and staff. What are the requirements for their laser cutting machine?

Howest: Industrial Product Design

Bart Grimonprez is a Project Engineer at the Industrial Product Design professional bachelor's program at Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen (Howest). Housed in Howest's Industrial Design Center, it boasts an extensive and unique machinery park. In addition to general woodworking, metalworking, plastic processing, textile processing, and ceramics, there is also an extensive digital infrastructure with 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and laser cutting machines. He says the following about it:

"Our Industrial Product Design program is unique in Belgium, particularly because we place so much emphasis on prototyping. And that's also the reason why we have an extensive machinery park; we want our students to have access to the tools they will encounter in their future careers. And it appeals to students as well; the program is growing rapidly, with more than 200 students in the first year and over 400 over the course of three years. With the recent launch of an international program, we expect the program to attract even more students from far beyond our borders, in addition to our current 80 international students.

We also collaborate a lot with external parties, often companies that want to explore new manufacturing methods or seek our advice. Through us, they get acquainted with new production techniques such as 3D printing. So, we try to look ahead and bring in new techniques that we see great potential in, so that we can familiarize students and companies with them. A good example of this is a new type of 3D printer that we just purchased. It doesn't print with filament but with granules, and there are only a few brands that offer such a device. We see the potential of this technique and will introduce it to students and companies."

Advanced Machinery Park

When Grimonprez thinks back to his own study days, the added value of their facilities becomes clear:

"When I was studying, there was a very small 3-axis CNC system. Over the years, 3D printers, multi-axis CNC machines, and laser cutting machines have been added, providing the machinery park with many more possibilities. If you were to remove our modern equipment, it would actually lower the level [of the prototypes students create]. And if our laser cutting machine were to be out of service for any reason for three days, it would be a disaster because it is used so extensively.

In addition, I believe it's important for students to work with industrial machines. We could buy a more hobbyist-oriented device for less money, but students benefit most from already knowing how to work with industrial equipment when they enter the job market in two to three years. Especially because they already have an understanding of the technology's possibilities, which remains limited with a lesser system."

Laser Cutting Machine

As the laser cutting machine is used by hundreds of students, staff, and external users, Grimonprez has a unique perspective on the key features of a good system:

"While many companies may prefer power or speed, ease of use and robustness are much more important to us. We want a student to be able to get started based on one sheet of explanation, and if they make a mistake or cause a major collision, we don't want to immediately face high costs. A more robust machine also requires less maintenance. With good user levels, you make it possible for everyone to use the system at their own level.

Speed, due to the machine's higher power, is certainly important but not the determining factor. Power has a lower limit, but I'm willing to sacrifice some speed for a system with larger dimensions work area or that is more robust and can run for a long time unattended, for example. And, of course, the system, given our educational context, must have dust extraction, safety buttons, and similar features. Overall, we consider broad applicability. A machine that can specifically process ceramics is less interesting than one that can handle a wide range of materials. The laser system we purchased from Laser 2000 meets our requirements, and we use it happily."

Collaboration with Laser 2000

"I have been working with Laser 2000for quite some time now. Currently, I am in contact with Ruben, but I have also learned a lot from his predecessor. His approach was already very different from what I have experienced with many other companies; he said, 'If one of our devices is installed, it should work. If there's an issue, call us right away.' Laser 2000 stands behind its product. And we have learned how important it is to have someone to rely on. Good availability of parts at acceptable prices, and maintenance and troubleshooting that are very quick. When I call or exchange emails with Ruben, the problem is solved in 90% of cases. Additionally, I greatly appreciate that Laser 2000 is willing to work with us. For example, providing a workshop or organizing an event."

Want to learn more about the application of laser systems in an educational or research environment? Or do you have other questions about (the use of) laser systems? Contact Ruben van Rossum at +31(0)297 - 26 61 91 or email vanrossum@laser2000.nl. An overview of the various laser systems offered by Laser 2000 can be found at https://www.laser2000.nl/site/lasersystemen.

For more information about the program Bart Grimonprez is associated with, visit the Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen website, specifically at the URL: https://www.howest.be/en/programmes/bachelor/industrial-product-design, or https://www.industrialproductdesign.be/ for more specific information about activities, available machinery, etc.