Additive Manufacturing Processes

Catalog description

The course will cover the fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. During the course the students will leverage their background in computer-aided manufacturing to learn the Digital Work Flow steps from Design to Manufactured AM parts. They will learn and gain experience in the various data representation, algorithms and software tools, processes, and techniques that enable advanced/additive manufacturing. Computational algorithms will be researched and evaluated. Detailed research investigations into the fundamental process models of various additive manufacturing (AM) processes using polymers, metals, and other material will provide insight into the operating principles, capabilities, and limitations of AM processes. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the students will gain hands-on experience with AM machines and understand the complete process steps through design, fabrication, and measurement of example parts. The students will study the range of applications of AM across a spectrum of industries (e.g., aerospace/automotive, medical devices, and consumer products) while developing an understanding of the requirements, constraints, and business case for the applications. After completing this course, students will have a fundamental understanding of the research in AM processes and prepare them for additional depth in follow on courses. Additionally the students will be able to appropriately utilize (e.g., evaluate, select, design) this developing technology in the future of manufacturing and digital transformation of manufacturing.