PRIM – Prototyping, Industrialisation and Manufacturing Open Lab
The project involves a pre-study study of an open and flexible experimental environment focused on product innovation, prototyping, industrialisation and manufacturing. In addition, this integrated environment can be a basis for pedagogical activities within experimental learning.
Project context
Education in the product area has very high requirements on application and thus on the experimental environments. The area is an ecosystem with many different actors and engineers must reach a holistic view. Education in the area would therefore benefit from a unified experimental environment for the different phases of product realisation, especially in the circular and climate-smart society.
The current funding system for experimental environments at KTH requires that each department carefully prioritises experimental environments for education, as they must be financed by course revenue and the funding is divided between experimental and theoretical courses. Experimental first and second cycle education (GRU) environments risk being deprioritised for cost reasons.
Today, four departments within ITM are gathered in the Machine Area: the Departments of Production development (IPU), Machine design (MMK), Energy technology (EGI) and Learning (LES). LES moved in 2023 and in the summer of 2025, the operations from KTH Södertälje as well. Each department has its own niche labs for research, postgraduate third-cycle education and advanced second-cycle education. Equipment that is currently spread across different premises could be gathered, partly to reduce costs and partly to create significantly greater benefits. In addition, this combined environment can be a basis for pedagogical activities within experimental learning
Purpose (outcome)
We want to create good conditions for experimental learning, for both students and teachers. We envision a new model of educational infrastructure that is open, flexible and integrated, and that extends beyond the interests of any single institution. The ambition is for the environment to support and strengthen:
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practical project-based elements in basic and advanced level education in Industrial engineering,
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industrial collaboration within the framework of relevant centre formations,
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skills development and lifelong learning,
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staff training in experimental learning and
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outside-curriculum activities for students, such as Formula Student.
Project results (output)
This project will make an inventory of conditions, opportunities and obstacles. Sub-results are:
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Needs mapping
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Concept alternatives
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Sustainable financing solution
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Anchoring and coordination within KTH and the school.
Time plan
Start date: 2023-07-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Project documentation
If you have a KTH ID, you can read the latest project documents when logged in.
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Projekt initiation document: Projektdirektiv_FrU25_2317-ITM_PRIM_250613.pdf (Swedish)