Educational challenges in design for additive manufacturing

Abstract

The unique capabilities of additive manufacturing (AM) enable any complex topological form in a design without manufacturing difficulty or additional cost. Complex geometric shapes, multimaterial, and/or multi-functional parts can be additively manufactured in a single operation which is a big advantage over conventional manufacturing processes. In order to benefit from these advantages, designers for AM need sophisticated skills and tools that integrate material information with geometry, for example simulation and topology optimization tools, materials databases, and manufacturing process analysis and simulation tools. While the future use of AM is uncertain, it is expected to expand in industries that need highly customized and multi-functional parts with complex shapes. Therefore, students need to learn how to design for customized and complex products for the future applications of the additive manufacturing. The long-term success of additive manufacturing depends on designers that can conceptually think different than the conventional way. In order to improve design skills with complex geometries used in products manufactured with additive technologies, MET1172 CADD/CAE class assignments are modified. This paper discusses the results of this attempt.