Besides turning, milling, and grinding, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is nowadays the fourth most popular machining method worldwide. The ability to fabricate complex shapes, to cut extremely hard materials with high precision, and the significant improvement in cutting speed create the enormous advantages compared to conventional metal cutting machining. Therefore, the further training on Operation of EDM was conducted at LILAMA 2 International Technology College (LILAMA 2) from 20th to 24th June 2022 to upskill the teachers in Metal Cutting occupation – Mechanics Faculty in this essential technology. The course was carried out by Mr Andreas Fischer – the Development Advisor of GIZ at LILAMA 2.
According to Mr Andreas, the focus of this training was to explain the EDM technology, the operation of the machine hardware and the regular maintenance of the machine. During the first and the second half day of the training, theoretical contents, fundamentals of EDM technology and basics of programming were delivered and discussed. After that, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the EDM machine’s configuration, set-up, and operation. Many exercises were carefully prepared to provide the teachers with hands-on experience in wire threading, dimension measuring, starting point setting, etc. Also, programming was integrated via a group assignment so that the teachers could refresh and adapt their programming knowledge to EDM context while improve their teamworking skills at the same time. Finally, the last day of training was dedicated to the maintenance topic.
“We have received several cooperation invitations from the enterprises nearby regarding EDM, which shows that this technology is certainly in demand now. Hence, we are very grateful to have this training in time and to get updated with the emerging technology” – Mr Nguyen Hong Tien – Vice Dean, Mechanics Faculty, who was one of the participants of the training, expressed.
The participated teachers can now multiply the equipped knowledge and skills to other colleagues and their students. Furthermore, cooperation opportunity with the industry in the field is improved and LILAMA 2’s competitiveness among other TVET institutes is enhanced.
The training was held within the component “Supporting High-Quality TVET Institutes” as part of the Vietnamese – German Programme “Reform of TVET in Viet Nam”. The programme is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).
