Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to 3D Printing
This section gives an overview of what 3D Printing is and is origins.
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What is 3D Printing?
00:05
3D Printing’s origin…History and Evolution of Additive Manufacturing
Types of 3D Printing Technologies (FDM, SLA, SLS, etc.)
Part 1 Quiz
00:10:00
Module 2: 3D Printers & Materials
This section gives an overview of the various 3D Printer components, 3D Printer types and materials.
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Components of a 3D Printer
Filament Types and Resin Basics
Choosing the Right Printer and Materials!
Module 2 Quiz: Materials and Printer Components
00:05:00
Module 3: 3D Printing File Types
This lesson provides a comprehensive understanding of the myriads of file extensions in the 3D Printing.
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FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
SLA (Stereolithography)
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
FAM (Fluid Additive Manufacturing)
00:00
Other Technologies.
Module 3: 3D Printing File Types
00:05:00
Module 4: Introduction to 3D Modeling
Start designing your own printable objects with easy-to-use modeling tools. This module introduces you to beginner-friendly 3D modeling software and teaches you how to create objects that are optimized for the printing process.
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Basic Design Concepts
Beginner-Friendly Software (Tinkercad, Fusion 360, FreeCAD)
Getting Started with FreeCAD!
Designing for Printability
Module 5: Slicing and G-Code
Before printing, models need to be sliced into printable layers. Learn how slicing software works, how to adjust print settings like layer height and infill, and how the slicer generates the G-code that your printer uses to build the object.
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Introduction to Slicer Software (Cura, OrcaSlicer and more)!
03:52
Layer Height, Supports, Infill, and Print Settings
Generating and Reading G-code
Module 6: The Print Process
Now it’s time to bring your models to life. Learn how to set up your printer, load materials, calibrate settings, and start your first print. This module also covers how to identify and fix common printing issues like warping or layer shifting.
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Printer Setup and Calibration
Starting Your First Print
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Module 7: Post-Processing
After printing, your model might need some finishing work. Discover how to remove supports, sand rough edges, paint your models, and combine printed parts into assemblies. These techniques can take your prints from good to great.
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Removing Supports
Sanding and Surface Finishing
Painting and Assembly
Module 8: Introduction to 3D Scanning
Learn how physical objects can be digitized using 3D scanning technology. This module introduces different scanning methods, software for cleaning and editing scan data, and how scanning is used in design, repair, and reverse engineering.
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Types of 3D Scanners
Mesh Cleanup
Retopology Applications in Reverse Engineering
Module 9: Real-World Applications
Explore how 3D printing is transforming industries like healthcare, automotive, education, and aerospace. See case studies and examples of how professionals use 3D printing to solve real problems and prototype new ideas.
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3D Printing in Industry, Medicine, and Education
3D Printing in Construction & Housing
3D Printing in Fashion and Art
3D Printing in Defense and Military Applications
Module 10: The Business of 3D Printing
In this module, students explore how 3D printing extends beyond the workshop and into the world of business, sustainability, and emerging markets. From eco-conscious manufacturing to digital entrepreneurship, learners discover how additive manufacturing is reshaping supply chains, product development, and global commerce. The module begins by examining sustainability trends, showing how 3D printing reduces waste, supports local production, and enables environmentally friendly materials. Students then move into the future of additive technologies, including bioprinting, AI-driven design, and off-planet construction. The module also highlights how 3D printing enables new business models—from custom product startups and digital part libraries to contract printing services and hybrid manufacturing workflows. Students gain insight into market opportunities, value propositions, and the strategic use of 3D printing to create value across industries. Whether learners aim to start a business, join an innovative company, or simply understand the economics behind additive manufacturing, this module equips them with the tools and trends that define the future of 3D printing as a business.
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Sustainability and Future Trends
Building a Portfolio or Business in 3D Printing
Complete a Print-to-Finish Project
Submit for Feedback and Certification
Receive Your Certificate and Bonus Gift
Private: 3D Printing Fundamentals.
About Lesson

🧩 Lesson: Other Technologies – Emerging Innovations & Construction 3D Printing

✅ Summary

3D printing continues to evolve beyond traditional methods. In this lesson, you’ll explore cutting-edge technologies like volumetric and chip-based printers, alongside large-scale construction 3D printing that’s revolutionizing architecture and infrastructure. Understand how these innovations are reshaping what’s possible in additive manufacturing.

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe pioneering new 3D printing methods such as volumetric, chip-based, and acoustic interface printing

  2. Explain how construction-scale printing technologies work and their real-world applications

  3. Evaluate the benefits and challenges of large-format additive manufacturing

  4. Identify organizations, projects, and efforts pushing these technologies forward

📘 Lesson Content

🧠 1. Cutting-Edge Printing Technologies

1.1 Volumetric (Tomographic) Additive Manufacturing

  • Creates 3D objects in seconds by projecting light patterns into resin-filled volumes, curing entire sections at once tomshardware.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2arxiv.org+2.

  • Eliminates the layer-by-layer constraint, enabling rapid and smooth builds of complex geometries up to centimeters in size.

  • Advances include Holographic VAM, which uses phase modulation to enhance resolution arxiv.org+1arxiv.org+1.

1.2 Volumetric High-Area Rapid Printing (HARP)

  • Developed in 2019 for fast, heat-managed SLA printing of large parts using a dynamic cooling interface origin-team.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15arxiv.org+15.

  • Enables continuous, high-speed builds without thermally induced defects, ideal for industrial-scale resin parts.

1.3 Silicon Photonics Chip-Based Printers

  • MIT researchers developed a coin-sized photonic chip that uses nanoscale optical antennas to cure resin via light – no moving parts en.wikipedia.orgtomshardware.com.

  • Represents a future path toward ultra-compact, wearable, or portable printers that can embed structures at the microscale.

1.4 Dynamic Interface Printing (DIP)

  • Uses acoustically modulated liquid–air boundaries to rapidly build cm-scale parts in seconds en.wikipedia.org+15arxiv.org+15tomshardware.com+15.

  • Key innovation: high resolution, speed, and compatibility with biocompatible materials, useful for biomedical manufacturing.

🏗️ 2. Construction-Scale 3D Printing (3DCP)

2.1 What is Construction 3D Printing?

  • Large-scale additive manufacturing using materials like cementitious concrete.

  • Methods include powder binding, concrete extrusion, and robotic arm deposition en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.

2.2 Notable Technologies

2.3 Key Applications & Projects

  • Affordable housing: ICON’s Wolf Ranch community, Habitat for Humanity projects ($0.15–0.50/sq ft labor savings) the-sun.com.

  • Large-scale infrastructure: World’s longest printed concrete bridge in Nijmegen (29 m length) arxiv.org.

  • Innovative builds: Australia’s first code-approved, two-storey printed house by Luyten (32 hr print time) apnews.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7.

✅ 3. Pros & Cons of Construction 3D Printing

Pros Cons
Reduces material waste by printing only what’s needed constructconnect.com High costs for large-scale equipment
Cuts labor needs and human error Regulatory hurdles and building code adaptation
Enables freeform design and complex geometries Slower for simple, conventional structures
Accelerates build time (weeks vs months) Material stability and reinforcement present challenges

🧩 4. Future Outlook

  • Researchers are exploring autonomous drone-based printing, swarm methodologies, and lunar construction prototypes origin-team.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13arxiv.org+13.

  • Advances in photonic and volumetric printing aim to shrink 3D printers to chip-size, revolutionizing desktop manufacturing tomshardware.com.

  • Construction 3D printing is set to mature over the next decade with the integration of lower-carbon mix designs, regulatory standards, and hybrid print–assembly systems .

🧠 5. Summary

Emerging 3D printing technologies are expanding into ultra-fast, volumetric, micro, and large-scale domains. From chip-based microprinters to whole houses printed on-site, these innovations are redefining manufacturing—from desktop to the built environment. Understanding these technologies empowers you to envision 3D printing across all scales.

📂 Resources & Further Reading

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