## 5 Discussion
### Actors Involved the SmartLab  
The connection of AM with the SmartLab digital manufacturing concept enables the students to function in a real-life environment, where a product idea or an order is processed into a real-life product. Students can operate in the different phases of the product development and manufacturing process. Second, the students can become acquainted with modern digital manufacturing, in which the principles of Industry 4.0 are applied to product manufacturing. The SmartLab concept allowed the implementation of AM in digital manufacturing through suitable applications. The students can learn about and apply concepts such as digital data transfer, the internet of things (IoT), automated manufacturing, and intelligent automation. Although the COVID-19 situation meant the case study could not be implemented with the equipment in time for this article, the design process showed that the principles of digital manufacturing could be included in traditional product development functions. Modern manufacturing often leans on digital solutions and this also sets demands for engineering education. This can be referred to as \"the digital transformation of engineering education\", in which traditional subjects must be updated for a new era. [PERSON] et al. [50] also noted that research institutions and universities should develop the competences of engineering students in the smart manufacturing field and the lab approach especially is a key element for making a physical environment available to carry out cutting-edge research and education activities. The Lapland UAS SmartLab concept enables numerous different applications in which students can learn and function in a real-life automated manufacturing environment. The main research question was to clarify if training of AM technologies can be supported by the developed SmartLab concept. The students' feedback was collected before and after the course in 2020 and responses were very positive and promising. Students felt that their skill and knowledge level increased during the course [49]. The SmartLab environment enables the using of multiple AM technologies (FDM, SLA, and SLS) simultaneously. The usage of multiple AM technologies was seen as a versatile and motivational way to learn AM. In addition, the students responded that their motivation to use AM in manufacturing increased significantly during the course [51]. The results pointed out that the students could adjust even to more complex situations learning-wise and that this enables them to develop into experts more efficiently with the SmartLab opportunities. The purpose of the article was to clarify with the case study how the needs of digital manufacturing expertise could be met and education challenges supported with the SmartLab concept. The results indicate that the SmartLab environment with the vision to create a new piloting and education environment of digital manufacturing in the Lapland University of Applied Sciences (UAS), where various actors and stakeholders will meet, is appropriate and necessary. The SmartLab concept applies a work-based learning philosophy and enables both students and SMEs and their stakeholders to keep up with the latest innovations and technologies, as [PERSON] [24] emphasized. [PERSON] et al. [23] also pointed out that only workers with up-to-date skills and knowledge will be able to adapt to the digital transformation, shifts in new production systems, and trends, thus enabling the industry to keep up with evolving digitalization. Engaging SMEs and other region stakeholders and introducing new technologies with open lab strategy enables SMEs to shift from an Industry 3.0 level toward readiness for I4.0 [13]. The widespread interest in the seminars and events held supports the conclusion that this goal has been successfully achieved, despite the fact that the actual ESF project remains ongoing. Figure 6 illustrates how largely and deeply each SmartLab actor has been involved and supported to date.