Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
College of Engineering

3D Printing An Introduction to Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is transforming how industries design, prototype, and produce components—but getting started can be overwhelming. This three-hour asynchronous course provides a foundational understanding of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, focusing on plastics. Learners will gain insights into additive manufacturing/3D printing processes, design considerations, and how to evaluate the feasibility and value of adopting additive manufacturing in real-world applications.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Compare the different AM techniques (focusing on plastics) and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of AM compared to traditional processing techniques for plastics processing.

3. Understand the latest developments and critical challenges of AM.

4. Consider the business case for AM in their own industry/company.

5. Apply design criteria specific to AM methods to creating a new object with AM.

 

Who Should Attend:

  • Design Engineers
  • Manufacturing Engineers
  • Sr Operators
  • Technicians
  • Supervisors
  • Supply Chain Personnel

Future course dates coming soon!

Course Details: RA00087

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Course Outline

Module 1 - Intro to Additive Manufacturing (AM)

Module 2 - The 7 Types of AM

Module 3 - Vat Photopolymerization

Module 4 - Material Extrusion

Module 5 - Powder Bed Fusion

Module 6 - Workflow of AM

 

Instructor and Program Director

  • Instructor

    Kristoffer Stokes

    Principal Scientist

    Dr. Stokes has developed award winning products and generated commercialized IP in markets ranging from batteries, oil and gas field chemicals, textiles, apparel, composites, and consumer goods. Focusing on textile and plastics consulting, his ideas and advice have helped generate significant new inventions across markets and disciplines.

    He has held positions including Global Director of Product Development at Bemis Associates, R&D Manager at Cabot Corporation and Technical Manager of Emerging Technologies at Celgard.

    Dr. Stokes holds a PhD in organic chemistry from MIT, as well as BS and MS degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.

    He is an inventor with 29 patents and has authored and co-authored numerous articles. 

    He is a member of the Polymer Engineering UW-Madison Industrial Advisory Board and teaches in the Polymer Engineering master’s program.

  • Program Director

    Susan Ottmann

Total Credits:
CEU .3, 
PDH 3, 
Applies to this Certificate:
Manufacturing Excellence, 

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