ME 5385/MFE 5385/MTE 5385: Metal Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM), popularly known as 3D printing, is a technique in which parts are fabricated in a layer-by-layer fashion. The focus of this course is on direct metal AM processes that are used in aerospace, automobile, medical, and energy industries. The objective of the course is to enable students to understand the working principles of various additive manufacturing processes, assess the suitability of metal AM processes for different designs and applications, apply process design concepts to metal AM processes via analytical and finite element modeling approaches, and have an introductory-level understanding of design for AM. Through the course project, students will have the opportunity to experience hands-on design, manufacturing, and characterization of additively manufactured materials, and will work in an interdisciplinary team of mechanical, materials, and manufacturing engineers. The economics of the manufacturing process will also be addressed, with an emphasis on determining the major cost drivers and discussing cost minimization strategies. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have received credit for the Special Topics (ME 593/MTE 594) version of the same course.