Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Introduction to 3D Printing with Metals
What You'll Learn
- Recognize the importance and applications of 3D printing with metals in engineering, industrial contexts, and art and design
- Articulate how 3D printing with metals differs from 3D printing with plastics
- Explain five different families of processes used to 3D print with metals
- Determine which 3D printing method is suited for your project
5 Modules
15 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Introduction to 3D Printing with Metals
3D printing with metals is revolutionizing manufacturing, engineering, and artistry. In “Introduction to 3D Printing with Metals,” you’ll learn about the essential elements of the technology, and how it can be applied to a range of use cases.
Designed for broad relevance to professionals, hobbyists, and students alike, the course provides essential information about methods of printing using metals, how they work, their advantages and limitations, and most importantly, their practical applications. From basic, desktop forms of 3D printing with metals to more complex processes, like powder bed fusion and jetting-based projects, you will learn about 3D metal printing through examples and interviews with industry experts. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with 3D printing within a smartphone or desktop-accessible augmented reality experience. The content presented in this course draws on a number of interviews with industry experts and was created through a partnership with Siemens.
With this course, you’ll gain a broad understanding of how 3D printing with metals can help you realize your creative vision or enhance your career.
Skills You'll Gain
- 3D Modeling Software
- Additive Manufacturing
- Advanced Manufacturing
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Introduction to 3D Printing with Metals, a course that introduces the processes, opportunities, and challenges of metal additive manufacturing. You will explore why metal 3D printing differs from desktop plastic printing, learn about major industrial metal printing technologies, and examine issues of access, equity, and inclusion in this field. The course builds foundational knowledge to help you engage confidently with metal 3D printing technologies and applications.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Why 3D Print with Metals?
- Video: Welcome to the Course
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Reading: Get to Know Your Instructors
- Discussion Prompt: Meet Your Fellow Learners
- Reading: Help Us Learn About You
- Video: Enhancing Your Learning with Augmented Reality
- Video: Why 3D Print with Metals?
- Video: How to Desktop 3D Print with Metals?
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Overview of Desktop 3D Printing with Metals
- Video: The Benefits of Desktop 3D Printing with Metals
- Video: The Limitations of Desktop 3D Printing with Metals
- Discussion Prompt: What Can You Make with Desktop 3D Printing with Metals in Your Context?
- Video: Industry Expert Perspective on What You Can Make with Desktop 3D Printing with Metals (Optional)
- Reading: Interactive Experience: End-of-Arm Tool
- App Item: Interactive Experience: End-of-Arm Tool
- Reading: Post-Experience Survey Opportunity
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Desktop 3D Printing with Metals: Possibilities & Limitations
- Video: Moving Beyond Desktop 3D Printing—The Possibilities
- Discussion Prompt: Tell us, What Do You Think?
- Reading: Module 1 Optional Readings & Resources
- Video: 3D Printing with Metals Now and in the Future (Optional)
- Graded: Module 1 Quiz: Why 3D Print with Metals?
Module 2: Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- Video: What is Wire-Fed DED and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Wire-Fed DED
- Video: Welcome to RAPID+TCT
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Wire-Fed DED? An Interview with MELTIO (Optional)
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Wire-Fed DED? An Interview with LINCOLN ELECTRIC (Optional)
- Discussion Prompt: What Can You Make with Wire-Fed DED In Your Context?
- Video: Limitations of the Wire-Fed DED Process
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Wire-Fed Directed Energy Deposition
- Video: What is Powder-Fed DED and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Powder-Fed DED
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Powder-Fed DED? An Interview with DMG MORI (Optional)
- Reading: What Can you Make with Powder-Fed DED?
- Video: Limitations of the Powder-Fed DED Process
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Powder-Fed Directed Energy Deposition
- Video: What is Cold Spray and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Cold Spray
- Reading: Interactive Experience: Prop Housing
- App Item: Interactive Experience: Prop Housing
- Reading: Post-Experience Survey Opportunity
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Cold Spray? An Interview with SPEED 3D (Optional)
- Reading: Powder-Fed Directed Energy Deposition: Hot vs. Cold
- Video: Limitations of the Cold Spray Process
- Discussion Prompt: Tell us, What Do You Think?
- Reading: Module 2 Optional Readings & Resources
- Graded: Module 2 Quiz: Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
Module 3: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)
- Video: What is L-PBF and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of L-PBF
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with L-PBF? An Interview with EOS (Optional)
- Reading: Interactive Experience: Steering Knuckle
- App Item: Interactive Experience: Steering Knuckle
- Reading: Post-Experience Survey Opportunity
- Discussion Prompt: What Can You Make with L-PBF In Your Context?
- Video: Limitations of the L-PBF Process
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF)
- Video: What is EB-PBF and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of EB-PBF
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with EB-PBF? An Interview with Wayland Additive (Optional)
- Reading: What Can You Make with EB-PBF?
- Video: Limitations of the EB-PBF Process
- Discussion Prompt: Tell us, What Do You Think?
- Reading: Module 3 Optional Readings & Resources
- Graded: Module 3 Quiz: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)
Module 4: Jetting-Based Processes
- Video: What is Binder Jetting and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Binder Jetting
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Binder Jetting? An Interview with Azoth 3D (Optional)
- Discussion Prompt: What Can You Make with Binder Jetting In Your Context?
- Video: Limitations of the Binder Jetting Process
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Binder Jetting
- Video: What is Material Jetting and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Material Jetting
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Material Jetting? An Interview with Xjet (Optional)
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Liquid Metal Jetting? An Interview with ADDITEC (Optional)
- Reading: Interactive Experience: Belt Buckle
- App Item: Interactive Experience: Belt Buckle
- Reading: Post-Experience Survey Opportunity
- Reading: What Can You Make with Jetting-Based Processes?
- Video: Limitations of the Material Jetting Process
- Discussion Prompt: Tell us, What Do You Think?
- Reading: Module 4 Optional Readings & Resources
- Graded: Module 4 Quiz: Jetting-Based Processes
Module 5: Friction-Lamination Processes
- Video: What is Friction Lamination and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Friction Lamination
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Friction Lamination? An Interview with MELD (Optional)
- Reading: Interactive Experience: Dragon Head
- App Item: Interactive Experience: Dragon Head
- Reading: Post-Experience Survey Opportunity
- Discussion Prompt: What Can You Make with Friction Lamination In Your Context?
- Video: Limitations of the Friction Lamination Process
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Friction Lamination
- Video: What is Ultrasonic Lamination and How Does it Work?
- Video: Advantages and Applications of Ultrasonic Lamination
- Video: What Parts Can Be Made with Ultrasonic Lamination? An Interview with Fabrisonic (Optional)
- Reading: What Can You Make with Lamination-Based Methods?
- Video: Limitations of the Ultrasonic Lamination Process
- Discussion Prompt: Tell us, What Do You Think?
- Reading: Module 5 Optional Readings & Resources
- Video: Course Wrap-Up
- Reading: Learning More About 3D Printing with Metals
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Graded: Module 5 Quiz: Lamination-Based Processes
Grading Policy
Course materials and assessments are self-paced and remain open throughout the course. There are five quizzes in this course, each worth 20% of your grade. Learners must earn an overall grade of 80% to pass and receive a certificate.
Researcher
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
Course Video
What Learners Are Saying
We really want this journey to be rewarding for you, so you will not only be hearing from [your instructors], you will also be learning from top leaders in the field who will come and share their expertise about 3D printing with metals.
Chinedum Okwudire Professor, Michigan Engineering
