Introduction of 3D Printers into Engineering Student Design Projects

Abstract

The low cost and rapid prototyping of free shape parts with 3D printers make them a particularly good alternative for producing small runs of parts or quick markups of a design. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is an attractive additive manufacturing process that makes it possible to lay down plastic (or other) materials in layers from an unwound coil of filament wire. This paper discusses the introduction of such technology into mechanical and aerospace engineering programs that comply with the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate teaching approach. Engineering students learn the discipline during the design and implementation of projects in which 3D printing technology is a particularly effective and efficient manufacturing tool.