Introduction to Additive Manufacturing (ItAM) AMFG 4100

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain fundamental principles of additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies and processes.
• Differentiate between major additive manufacturing methods (e.g., material extrusion, powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerization).
• Identify and compare materials used in additive manufacturing, including polymers, metals, and composites.
• Describe common applications of additive manufacturing across industries such as aerospace, healthcare, and product design.
• Interpret additive manufacturing workflows, including CAD file preparation, STL file generation, and slicing methods.
• Evaluate CAD compatibility issues in additive manufacturing, including file formats, geometry errors, and data conversion challenges.
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in preparing and exporting CAD and STL files for 3D printing.
• Explain the role of slicing software and key parameters (layer height, infill, supports) in print quality and performance.
• Assess the economic considerations of additive manufacturing, including cost, material usage, production time, and scalability.
• Describe the role of numerical methods and simulation basics in additive manufacturing processes (e.g., toolpath generation, thermal considerations).
• Evaluate the advantages and limitations of additive manufacturing compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
• Apply safety considerations and best practices when working with additive manufacturing equipment.​

Effective as of Fall 2026