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Zachary Cureton-Hazard and Sean Holland

This online course is designed to transform beginners into practiced makers. Over three short modules it will guide learners through the fascinating process of bringing your ideas to life using 3D printing technology. Work at your own pace through a series of short tutorials and quizzes that will ready you for managing the 3D printing process.

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This online course is designed to transform beginners into practiced makers. Over three short modules it will guide learners through the fascinating process of bringing your ideas to life using 3D printing technology. Work at your own pace through a series of short tutorials and quizzes that will ready you for managing the 3D printing process.

Section 1: Dive into Design

Kickstart your adventure by mastering the fundamentals of Autodesk Tinkercad. You'll begin by crafting a personalized keychain, learning to manipulate shapes by adding, resizing, creating holes, and grouping objects. As your skills advance, you'll explore more sophisticated features like mirroring and aligning. This work culminates in designing a unique makercoin that represents you, and utilizes all the skills you've acquired.

Section 2: Slicing Software

With a solid design foundation, you'll delve into the essentials of file types and slicing software. Using your Tinkercad-designed .STL file, you'll navigate Ultamaker’s Cura, though our teachings are versatile enough to translate to various slicing programs. This segment culminates in fine-tuning printer settings — supports, infill density, print temperature, and more — to ensure your design is perfectly prepped for printing.

Section 3: Printing and Troubleshooting

In the final stretch, you'll bring your digital creation into the physical world by printing your makercoin. This section's guidance is universal, fitting any 3D printer you might use. We wrap up with a practical exploration of common 3D printing challenges and effective troubleshooting techniques to maximize your printer’s performance, and jumpstart your prototyping. You will learn the fundamental skills necessary to operate any modern 3D printer, from Bambu to AnkerMake to Ultimaker to Prusa.

Whether you’re looking to unleash your creativity, kickstart a hobby, gain a new skill for professional development, or prepare yourself to enter the growing fields of product design, product development, or robotics, this course is your gateway to the exhilarating world of 3D printing. Join us to transform the imaginary into reality, one layer at a time.

What you'll learn

  • Learn the basics of 3D designing in Tinkercad, including adding, resizing, creating holes, and grouping objects.
  • How to align and mirror objects, as well as import .SVG files into Tinkercad to create more complex designs.
  • How to adjust and change in slicing software such as adding supports, infill density, print temperature, and more.
  • Pros, cons, properties and printer settings for 6 common types of filament: PLA, ABS, TPU, PET-G, PUI, and Nylon.
  • How to print with and without a network connected printer
  • Troubleshooting techniques and the problem solving processes involved when prints fail, or are not as you expected.
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of additive manufacturing in terms of FDM 3D printers

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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners by beginning with the basics of 3D design in Tinkercad
Develops skills, knowledge, and tools that are highly relevant to prototyping
Provides ample opportunity for troubleshooting, which is a core skill for mastering 3-D printing

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 3D Printing Essentials: From Design to Reality with these activities:
Contribute to an open-source 3D printing project
Contributing to an open-source 3D printing project will allow you to give back to the community and further develop your skills.
Show steps
  • Identify an open-source 3D printing project that you are interested in.
  • Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Make changes or additions to the project according to the project guidelines.
  • Submit your contributions to the project repository.
  • Engage with the project community and provide support to other users.
Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete 3D Printing Essentials: From Design to Reality will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
3D Printing Technician
3D Printing Technicians operate and maintain 3D printers, ensuring that they produce high-quality prints. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the 3D printing process and the principles of additive manufacturing, making it an essential resource for 3D Printing Technicians.
Rapid Prototyping Engineer
Rapid Prototyping Engineers use 3D printing and other technologies to create prototypes of new products. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the 3D printing process and the principles of additive manufacturing, making it a valuable resource for Rapid Prototyping Engineers.
Additive Manufacturing Engineer
Additive Manufacturing Engineers design and develop additive manufacturing processes, including 3D printing. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of additive manufacturing and the different types of 3D printing technologies, making it a valuable resource for Additive Manufacturing Engineers.
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineers combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design and build products and systems, often using 3D printing for prototyping and manufacturing. This course provides a solid foundation in 3D design and printing, making it a valuable resource for Mechatronics Engineers.
Design Engineer
Design Engineers use 3D printing for prototyping and design iteration. This course provides a foundation in 3D design and slicing software, which are essential tools for Design Engineers.
Product Designer
Product Designers create new products, often using 3D printing for prototyping and design iteration. This course provides a foundation in 3D design and slicing software, which are essential tools for Product Designers.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers combine art and engineering to create and design products, often using 3D printing for prototyping and design iteration. This course provides a foundation in 3D design and slicing software, which are essential tools for Industrial Designers.
Product Development Engineer
Product Development Engineers use 3D printing for prototyping and design iteration. This course provides a foundation in 3D design and slicing software, which are essential tools for Product Development Engineers.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots, which may use 3D printing for prototyping and manufacturing. This course's coverage of 3D design and printing fundamentals provides a valuable foundation for Robotics Engineers seeking to incorporate additive manufacturing into their work.
Manufacturing Supervisor
Manufacturing Supervisors oversee the production of products, which may include 3D printed items. This course provides a helpful overview of the 3D printing process and the principles of additive manufacturing, making it a useful resource for Manufacturing Supervisors.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers design and optimize manufacturing processes, which may include 3D printing. This course provides a helpful overview of the 3D printing process and the principles of additive manufacturing, making it a useful resource for Manufacturing Engineers.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design, build, and test machines and mechanical systems, potentially including the 3D printers used for product development. This course helps build a foundation in the underlying principles of 3D printing and provides insights into FDM fundamentals, making it a valuable addition to a Mechanical Engineer's knowledge base.
Materials Engineer
Materials Engineers research and develop new materials, including those used in 3D printing. This course covers different types of 3D printer filament, providing a helpful starting point for understanding material properties as they relate to additive manufacturing.
Quality Control Inspector
Quality Control Inspectors ensure that products meet quality standards, which may include 3D printed items. This course helps build a foundation in the basics of 3D design and printing, providing a valuable overview of the process for a Quality Control Inspector.
Production Technician
A Production Technician uses their understanding of additive manufacturing processes, including FDM, to help maintain and optimize manufacturing standards, including overseeing 3D printing machines. This course's coverage of printer troubleshooting and FDM 3D printer fundamentals may be useful for a Production Technician.

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 3D Printing Essentials: From Design to Reality.
Provides an in-depth look at additive manufacturing technologies, including their principles, processes, and applications. It comprehensive resource for researchers and professionals working in the field.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to 3D printing, covering the basics of design, slicing, and printing. It great resource for beginners who want to learn more about the technology and its applications.
Explores the potential of 3D printing to transform various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. It provides insights into the latest trends and advancements in the field.
Provides an overview of advanced 3D printing applications and materials. It valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the latest developments in 3D printing.
Focuses on using Tinkercad, a free and beginner-friendly 3D design software. It provides step-by-step instructions and projects to help readers create their own 3D models.

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