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This course introduces Additive Manufacturing as an ecosystem that impacts all aspects of the regulated industries supply chain from design conception through validation to high quality standard production, including cybersecurity and associated business models, changing the way things are made. Students will build an understanding of the fundamental concepts and terminology used in Additive Manufacturing technologies in the context of industry practice and applications across different sectors globally.
The course will cover:
• Evolution of 3D printing from prototyping to Additive Manufacturing as a to production solution: General concepts, fundamentals, terminology of common Additive Manufacturing technologies. Additive versus Subtractive/ Complimentary capabilities.
• Benefits and limitations of Additive Manufacturing technologies. Surface finish, isotropy, precision, accuracy and resolution and its impact to metrology standards.
• 3D printing polymers and metals Material characterization including metallurgic, fusion and photopolymerization processes: (core science: physics and chemistry)
• Material testing standards. Comparison to traditional engineering materials.
• Introduction to the additive manufacturing impact on the traditional supply chain. Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem. Environmental and sustainable opportunities.
• Additive Manufacturing associated business models.
• Industry Global best practices and applications across different sectors: Industry adoption trends and successful case studies
The course is comprised on one 10-credit module. On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
1. Discuss general concepts and explain key terminology used in the additive manufacturing processes.
2. Identify benefits and limitations of the additive manufacturing technologies and employ them in real world applications.
3. Examine 3D printing material and 3d printing technology characteristics to match product specifications.
4. Recognise the Additive Manufacturing impact on the supply chain illustrating environmental and sustainable opportunities.
5. Illustrate Additive Manufacturing valuable assets for the industry and relate them to associated business models
6. Characterise 3D printing polymers and metals using core science approaches in physics and chemistry.
7. Evaluate industry best practices and applications across different sectors.
Candidates for the full BSc in Additive Manufacturing will meet the entry requirements below. Candidates for this shorter Introduction to Additive Manufacturing cert will typically have a major award at level 6 and a professional experience/interest in the area.
Applicantions may be also considered from applicants with a major award at level 5 and a professional experience/interest in the area.
Entry Requirements for the BSc in Additive Manufacturing
A Level 6 Higher Certificate in an engineering or relevant technical discipline (or equivalent).
or
An Advanced Certificate - Craft in an Electrical or Mechanical discipline.
or
A mature student (over 23 years old) with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a relevant technical/engineering role and has completed relevant technical training or other formal training*
*For this student, without a relevant Level 6 qualification, they will be required to apply to the programme via the process of recognition of prior learning (RPL). It is through this process that each candidate is assessed on a case by case basis by the programme team in line with institute policy.
Eligible applicants must at least meet the minimum English language requirements for the Institute as detailed in the Quality Manual.
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