OC: An Introduction to 3D Printing in Engineering

3D printing, formally known as additive manufacturing (AM), is one of the most transformative technologies to enter the engineering world in recent decades. What once existed only in research labs is now a practical tool used across industries from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and construction. The ability to create complex, functional parts directly from digital data has fundamentally altered the design and manufacturing paradigm. Engineers today are expected to understand not only what 3D printing is but also how it works, where it fits within the broader manufacturing landscape, and how it can be applied effectively to solve real-world problems.

This comprehensive introductory course is designed for engineers, engineering technologists, technical managers, and motivated students who are new to additive manufacturing or want to build a solid, systematic foundation in the technology. No prior experience with 3D printing is required. The course covers the core concepts behind how 3D printing works, the most common printing technologies available today, the materials used, the basic principles for designing parts intended for additive manufacturing (Design for Additive Manufacturing, DfAM), and the real-world engineering applications driving its adoption across global industries.
 

By the end of this course, you will have a clear, objective picture of the additive manufacturing landscape: what the technology can do, where it excels, where it has inherent limitations, and how it compares to traditional manufacturing methods. This knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions about the potential integration of additive manufacturing into engineering projects and workflows.