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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.

Mapped principles 

The project is mapped to the following framework principles:

P5. Available experimental environments

P2. Ability to handle wicked problems for the sustainable societal development 

P6. Vibrant campus 

P13. Integrated lifelong learning

Definitions of the principles

Contact

Helena Sjögren
Helena Sjögren senior officer

This project is implemented at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM) within the Future Education programme (project no. 2317-ITM). 

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:  

  • practical project-based elements in basic and advanced level education in Industrial engineering,  

  • industrial collaboration within the framework of relevant centre formations,  

  • skills development and lifelong learning,  

  • staff training in experimental learning and  

  • 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: 

  • Needs mapping  

  • Concept alternatives 

  • Sustainable financing solution 

  • 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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Last changed: Oct 13, 2025