Design Thinking for Additive Manufacturing
About This Course
Design Thinking for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) equips learners with the skills to design, evaluate, and optimise products specifically for additive manufacturing (AM) workflows. Anchored to the emerging skill of Additive Manufacturing – Design and apply additive manufacturing workflows to create three-dimensional objects, the course trains participants to bridge the gap between creative design and practical manufacturability by applying design thinking principles in AM contexts.
Over 12 hours, learners will gain hands-on experience in modelling, simulation, and topology optimisation using industry-standard software, while also exploring the trade-offs and constraints of different AM processes. They will learn to create efficient and innovative designs that are manufacturable, cost-effective, and compliant with industry standards.
This course is designed for engineers, product designers, and R&D professionals seeking to upskill in AM. It is highly relevant to industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and consumer products, where AM is driving innovation, lightweighting, and small-batch production. By course completion, participants will be able to design and apply complete AM workflows – from concept ideation to piloting and evaluation – ensuring their solutions are aligned with the latest industry practices and emerging competencies.
What You'll Learn
1) Analyse AM processes and materials by identifying process-related issues, evaluating material considerations, and determining requirements for various AM methods within a workflow.
2) Apply optimisation and reverse engineering techniques to improve efficiency, product quality, and component design using 3D scanning, modelling, and AM integration.
3) Evaluate AM processes and procedures for manufacturing metallic and non-metallic components, considering sustainability, scalability, and industry best practices across the workflow.
4) Assess the impact and trade-offs of adopting AM on product performance, manufacturing operations, and long-term business outcomes to guide workflow decisions.
5) Review AM performance and compliance by interpreting standards, assessing process improvements, and validating product quality against industry benchmarks.
Entry Requirements
Min. Diploma