Master 3D printing processes, material selection, design for additive manufacturing and more to become the ultimate AM engineer.
Ask anyone in additive manufacturing (AM) about the technology’s biggest barrier to adoption and they’ll tell you it’s education. Despite all its proven benefits, 3D printing is still a novel manufacturing process for many engineers. The good news is that there are many opportunities for professional development in 3D printing and AM.
The skills and certifications needed to succeed as an additive manufacturing engineer will depend on your industry and application, so choose how to spend your professional development hours wisely.
Below you’ll find links and summaries of seven high-quality programs that can help you become the ultimate additive manufacturing engineer.
“Additive Manufacturing Certificate Program”
- Texas A&M
- Online or In-Person
- 40 hours
- $5,995
One of the unique things about this program is the collaboration with Additive Minds, the EOS applied engineering team. Offered in both in-person and remote synchronous online formats, the program is intended to cover the essential topics in additive manufacturing.
Key modules in the program include Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals, Product and Process Design (including DfAM), Additive Manufacturing Materials, and Quality and Cost Considerations.
Upon completion of all modules, participants receive an Additive Manufacturing Certificate and earn 40 profession development hours. Organizations can also customize the program by selecting specific modules for their employees, with program costs customized based on delivery format and selected topics.
In-person sessions are held at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station with meals provided. Transportation and lodging are not included.
“Additive Manufacturing Program”
- University of California, San Diego
- “mostly online”
- 18 months
- $3,970
This program is presented as offering hands-on experience and comprehensive training in the principles, standards, materials and applications of AM. Designed for professionals, engineering graduates and anyone seeking a career in additive manufacturing. Students learn practical skills for modeling 3D-printed parts with SolidWorks as well as how to measure parts according to industry standards.
The program is a combination of required courses and elective options, though at the time of writing the courses on offer appear to be in flux. Currently available required courses cover SolidWorks for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Technologies, while the electives include Mechanical Design with MATLAB and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
Upon completion of the program, students earn a specialized certificate in additive manufacturing and may also prepare for industry-recognized certifications, such as the CSWA-AM certification from SolidWorks. While the program is presented as “mostly online” the FAQ admits that one of the required courses is currently in-person only.
“Additive Manufacturing Specialization”
- Arizona State University
- Online
- 10 hours per week for 4 weeks
- Free
This introductory program consists of five courses and covers six different AM processes, including material extrusion, vat photopolymerization, and powder bed fusion. Students will learn to compare and contrast these techniques as well as how to apply a DfAM framework in decision making.
Each course within the series addresses a different aspect of AM, including build preparation, post-processing, and part selection., the series is highly rated on Coursera: 4.9 out of 5 stars with 57 reviews at time of writing.
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