Course Overview
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.
Who Should Attend
- Design Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Sr Operators
- Technicians
- Supervisors
- Supply Chain Personnel
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.
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
Kristoffer Stokes
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.