The implications of additive manufacturing (AM) span the complete product life-cycle, from concept-stage design to service part fulfillment. Recent advances, including industrially viable high-speed AM processes, improved materials, and optimization software, now enable AM to be considered hand-in-hand with conventional production technologies.
In short, AM is the cornerstone of future digital production infrastructure. Moreover, the unprecedented design flexibility of AM allows us to invent products with new levels of performance, and to envision supply chains that achieve rapid, responsive production with reduced cost and risk.
This course may be taken individually or as part of the Professional Certificate Program in Innovation & Technology or the Professional Certificate Program in Design & Manufacturing. because of the online preperatory component of this course it counts as 5 days towards certificate program completion.
This fast-paced three-day course at MIT provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of additive manufacturing, its applications, and its implications both now and in the future. The course includes:
- Technically rich lectures encompassing: AM process fundamentals, material properties, design rules, qualification methods, cost and value analysis, and industrial and consumer applications of AM.
- Hands-on lab activities involving both desktop and industrial-grade 3D printers for polymers and metals, addressing the full workflow from design to characterization.
- An interactive, team-based case study. Students choose to participate in a design competition (using generative design software and 3D printing), to solve a strategy challenge using AM, or to propose a new AM-enabled business endeavor.
- Visits to local AM startups and an on-demand digital manufacturing facility.
- A multidisciplinary team of speakers including MIT faculty, industry experts, and special guests.
- Structured networking activities at several points throughout the week.
Pre-course Online Material
Prior to the course, registrants will be provided approximately two hours of video content and other multi-modal content, covering the following subjects:
- Introduction to AM Terminology
- Overview of Industrial AM Technologies for Polymers, Metals, and other Materials
- Application Case Studies for Prototyping and Production Uses of AM
- Interactive graphics on system and material performance
The curriculum suits both beginners and experts in AM, and emphasizes both breadth and rigor. If you have questions, or would like to understand how this course might suit your interests, please contact Prof. John Hart (ajhart@mit.edu) or Haden Quinlan (hquinlan@mit.edu).
Certificate of Completion from MIT Professional Education
The type of content you will learn in this course, whether it's a foundational understanding of the subject, the hottest trends and developments in the field, or suggested practical applications for industry.
- Fundamentals: Core concepts, understandings, and tools - 40%
- Latest Developments: Recent advances and future trends - 30%
- Industry Applications: Linking theory and real world - 30%
How the course is taught, from traditional classroom lectures and riveting discussions to group projects to engaging and interactive simulations and exercises with your peers.
- Lecture: Delivery of material in a traditional lecture format - 50%
- Discussion or Group Work: Participatory learning - 25%
- Labs: Demonstrations, experiments, simulations - 25%
What level of expertise and familiarity the material in this course assumes you have. The greater the amount of introductory material taught in the course, the less you will need to be familiar with when you attend.
- Introductory: Appropriate for a general audience - 35%
- Specialized: Assumes experience in practice or field - 50%
- Advanced: In-depth explorations at the graduate level - 15%