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Introduction to Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology

Enhance your knowledge of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology, as well as metal AM applications and materials.

1,533 enrolled on this course

An additive manufacturing engineer holding a build plate with several Ti6Al4V demonstration parts which were manufactured using laser powder bed fusion technique

Introduction to Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology

1,533 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 1 hour per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover the challenges and advantages of additive manufacturing processes

This short course will develop your knowledge and understanding of metal additive manufacturing technology, from AM processes to how AM is used in different industries.

Understand the workflow of the additive manufacturing process

Alongside expert guidance from educators at KU Leuven and the EIT RawMaterials, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of what additive manufacturing is.

As you explore the various steps of the AM process chain, you’ll also consider the disadvantages and advantages of additive manufacturing.

Explore the main applications of additive manufacturing

As well as getting to grips with what metal additive manufacturing is, you’ll broaden your understanding of its many applications.

From aerospace to the biomedical industry, you’ll consider how metal AM is applied in different industries.

Develop your knowledge of metal additive manufacturing materials

The course will also offer you the chance to learn about the different materials used for metal additive manufacturing.

You’ll explore how it’s used for prototyping and also how it can be employed for the manufacturing of safety-critical parts in high-demand applications.

What topics will you cover?

  • Week 1: What is additive manufacturing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of AM?
  • Week 2: Applications of metal AM in various sectors
  • Week 3: Materials for metal AM

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe what additive manufacturing is and what the different steps of the AM process chain are
  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of additive manufacturing
  • Identify main applications of metal AM
  • Compare different metals that are being processed by AM

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn about the basics of metal additive manufacturing.

More specifically, this course is useful for people from industry. Whether you’re an engineer or manager at a company producing raw materials and equipment for metal AM, you work at an AM company and want to train new recruits, or you’re from a sector where the use of AM parts is being introduced (eg medical, aerospace, automotive), this course will help you or your team to upskill.

Who will you learn with?

I am professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department of KU Leuven in Belgium, where I am leading the Additive Manufacturing team.

I am a research associate at the Additive Manufacturing group of Mechanical Engineering Department of KU Leuven University and I research on process and materials in metal additive manufacturing.

PhD researcher on Additive Manufacturing of metals at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven

Who developed the course?

EIT RawMaterials

Initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union, EIT RawMaterials is the largest European raw materials partnership.

KU Leuven

KU Leuven is Belgium’s oldest and largest university. The Additive Manufacturing group in the Mechanical Engineering Department of KU Leuven has a history of 30 years in research on Laser Sintering of polymers, Laser Powder Bed Fusion of metals and Additive Manufacturing of ceramics. Over the past decades, our research experience has been transferred to master students during regular courses, but also to industrial partners during other symposia and lectures.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 19 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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