Course syllabus

Course-PM

MTT120 MTT120 Additive manufacturing lp3 VT26 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Industrial and Materials Science

Contact details

Examiner:

Professor Eduard Hryha, Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers

hryha@chalmers.se - EH

Lecturers:

Professor Eduard Hryha, Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers

hryha@chalmers.se – EH

 

Practical/computer exercises, tutors:

• Mukesh Murali: mukeshm@chalmers.se - MM
• Plinio Fernandes Borges Silva: plinio@chalmers.se - PFBS
• Satya Chaitanya Vaddamanu: satyac@chalmers.se – SCV
• Erika Tuneskog: tuneskog@chalmers.se – ET
• Abhinav Sathi Praveen: sathi@chalmers.se - ASP

Course administrator:

• Mukesh Murali: mukeshm@chalmers.se - MM

Student reception of department (mainly for exam and general enquiries):

• Hanije Safakar: hanije@chalmers.se

 

Course purpose

The aim is to establish a basic understanding regarding additive manufacturing (AM) as the industrial method for prototyping and manufacture of advanced components for various industrial sectors. The course covers overview of seven additive manufacturing technology groups as well as general overview of the AM manufacturing chain, including pre-processing, components design for AM, process know-how, materials selection and basic aspects of manufacturing of metallic, polymeric and ceramic products as well as their composites with respect to materials and processing technologies.

 

Schedule

TimeEdit

Date	Time	Lecture/exercise	Lecturer	Place
2025-01-20	13:15-15.00	Introduction to AM – basic principles and overall state-of-the-art	EH	HC2
2025-01-20	15:15-17.00	AM applications and future perspectives		HC2
2025-01-22	13:15-15.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part I		HC2
2025-01-22	15:15-17.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part II		HC2
2025-01-23	13:15-15.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part III		HC2
2025-01-27	13:15-15.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part IV	EH	HC2
2025-01-27	15:15-17.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part V	EH	HC2
2025-01-29	13:15-15.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part VI	EH	HC2
2025-01-29	15:15-17.00	Overview of AM technologies and their capabilities/limitations – Part VII	EH	HC2
2025-01-30	13:15-14.00	Introduction to Computer Exercises: -       Computer Exercise I: Practical training on Simplify - MM -       Computer Exercise II: Practical training on Magics – SCV -       Computer Exercise III . Simulation of AM process by Simufact - PFBS	MM, SCV, PFBS	HC2
2025-01-30	14:15-15.00	Introduction to project assignment	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-03	13:15-14.00	Lab tour and project discussion - Group 1-3	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2/labs
2025-02-03	14:00-15.00	Lab tour and project discussion - Group 4-7	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2/labs
2025-02-03	15:00-16.00	Lab tour and project discussion - Group 8-11	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2/labs
2025-02-03	16:15-17.00	Lab tour and project discussion - Group 12-14	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2/labs
2025-02-05	13:15-15.00	Design for powder-based metal AM - overview	EH	HC2
2025-02-05	15:15-17.00	Materials for AM	EH	HC2
2025-02-06	13:15-15.00	Q&A: computer exercises – Session 1	MM, SCV, PFBS	MT11, MT12
2025-02-10	13:15-15.00	Guest Lecture: Binder jetting technology for production of high precision metal components	Fredrik Berg Lissel (fredrik.berglissel@markforged.com) and Cecilia Andersson (cecilia.andersson@markforged.com), Markforged	HC2
2025-02-10	15:15-15.00	Project supervision	ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-12	13:15-15.00	Guest lecture: Recent Innovations in Electron Beam Technology	Evelina Heino (Evelina.Heino@geaerospace.com ) and Saga Naij (Saga.Naij@geaerospace.com ), Colibrium Additive	HC2
2025-02-12	15:15-17.00	Project supervision	ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-13	13:15-15.00	Q&A: computer exercises – Session 2	MM, SCV, PFBS	MT11, MT12
2025-02-19	13.15-15.00	Properties of AM materials	EH	HC2
2025-02-19	15:15-17.00	Project supervision – short presentations	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-20	13.15-15.00	Post-AM processing - 1	EH	HC2
2025-02-24	13.15-15.00	Post-AM processing - 2	EH	HC2
2025-02-24	15:15-17.00	Project supervision – group supervision	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-26	13.15-15.00	Selection of AM processes-I	EH	HC2
2025-02-26	15:15-17.00	Selection of AM processes-II	EH	HC2
2025-02-27	13.15-15.00	Guest Lecture: Powder Production	Prof. Sven Bengtsson, Höganäs AB, Sven.Bengtsson@hoganas.com	HC2
2025-03-03	13.15-15.00	Project supervision	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-03-03	15:15-17.00	Project supervision	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-03-05	13.15-15.00	Problem solving/previous exams	EH	HC2
2025-03-05	15:15-17.00	Project supervision	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-03-06	13.15-14.00	Guest lecture: “AM at Volvo Cars”	Torbjörn Larsson, torbjorn.larsson.2@volvocars.com	HC2
2025-03-06	14.15-15.00	Guest lecture: “AM at Volvo AB”	Dr Henrik Karlsson, henrik.karlsson.8@volvo.com	HC2
2025-03-10	13.15-15.00	Seminar – project presentations	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-03-10	15:15-17.00	Seminar – project presentations	EH, ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-03-12	13.15-15.00	Guest lecture: “Industrialization of additive manufacturing at Siemens Energy	Prof. Håkan Brodin: hakan.brodin@siemens-energy.com	HC2
2025-03-12	15:15-17.00	Project feedback	ASP, SCV, PFBS, ET, MM	HC2
2025-02-13	13:15-15.00	Q&A: computer exercises – Session 3	MM, SCV, PFBS	MT11, MT12

Course literature

Reference course books are:

• Additive Manufacturing Technologies by Ian Gibson, see https://link-springer-com.proxy.lib.chalmers.se/book/10.1007/978-3-030-56127-7 and STORE by Chalmers Studentkår - Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• the reference book for the Design for AM: A Practical Guide to Design for Additive Manufacturing by Olaf Diegel, Axel Nordin and Damien Motte, see: https://link-springer-com.proxy.lib.chalmers.se/book/10.1007%2F978-981-13-8281-9 and https://www.chalmersstore.se/e-bocker/a-practical-guide-to-design-for-additive-manufacturing.html

 

The course contents will be based on lecture handouts and supplementary material as well as partly on chapters from these books. All sources are available as e-books via Chalmers library. Problem solving examples are defined separately and not necessarily taken from reference course book.

Lecture notes (Powerpoint presentations) will be published on homepage for the course. The software for AM pre-processing Simplify 3D (for polymer printing) and Magics (for powder-bed based AM) as well as simulation software Simufact are installed in MT11 and MT12 and can be accesses physically or remotely for computer exercises and project work used during the course. The software are licensed for educational purposes only and you are not allowed to use them for commercial purpose.

Course design

Contents

The course addresses following topics:

• Basic terminology, definitions and technologies in additive manufacturing based on recent standards;
• Preparation/design for AM, including the steps from product design to manufacturing;
• Applications of different AM technologies with respect to types of products, their size and geometry, appropriate manufacturing series and performance requirements;
• Basics about AM processing including characteristics of different AM technologies;
• Technology and methods applied for metals, polymers and ceramics;
• Basics of materials technology and powder technology of relevance in AM;
• Quality control of AM-parts;
• Integration of AM in manufacturing chain;
• Properties of AM components;
• Post-processing of AM-parts in dependence on requirements to the components, AM technology and material;
• Application of AM in different fields and future perspectives of the technology;
• Selection of the most appropriate AM technology for specific application.Organisation

The course includes a lecture series that covers the main topics of the course, as defined in the course plan. Several guest lecturers from industry (technology providers, end-users as well as manufacturers of AM parts) will also contribute with their knowledge and industrial perspective on additive manufacturing. On-campus lectures, meeting with the groups, visit to the labs and some “office days” are scheduled to maximize possibility for physical interaction.

The course includes a compulsory project group assignment, which is organized to train participants in design, manufacture and evaluation of AM components. The project is presented both, by written report and oral presentation.

Besides the lecture series, number of tutoring events/exercises/practical sessions will be held. During these events, you will be trained in design/process preparation for polymer and metal AM, AM processing, critical aspects of materials technology in AM and AM applications. In particular, course includes three compulsory exercises on additive manufacturing of polymers (with focus on materials extrusions or FDM) using Simplify software, design and job preparation for metal AM (with focus on powder bed fusion – laser beam) using Magics software and simulation for AM (with focus on powder bed fusion – laser beam) using Simufact software.

 

Changes made since the last occasion

• More focus is placed on Project Assignment;
• Printing in metal and ceramic is enabled during the course with the access to AM@Chalmers and WISE Additive at Chalmers
• More weight on the Project Assignment in respect to examination
• Only in-person guest lectures

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

After completion of the course, you should be able to:

• describe basic principles for additive manufacturing;
• describe the main processes for the additive manufacturing and their capabilities and limitations;
• demonstrate basic skills with respect to design for additive manufacturing;
• understand and describe the design, materials and processing aspects of the AM processes for metallic materials and some polymeric and ceramic materials;
• describe technical limitations/product realization capabilities when applying additive manufacturing technology as manufacturing method;
• understand and be able to analyze conditions set by materials technology, for in particular powder-bed and blown powder/wire-based processes. 

 

Examination form

The examination is based on the combination of final written/oral exam and project work including final oral presentation and report. The grading is based on the total score of the final exam (max 45 p) and the project assignment (max 15 p). The total score is 60p. The grading will be based on following limits:

Grade 3 > 40% = 24p

Grade 4 > 60% = 36p

Grade 5 > 80% = 48p

The project assignment can give up to 15 p, related to the quality of the report and the oral presentation. Due date for handing the final report is the day before the project presentation.

The exam takes place on March 20-st, 2026, between 12.30 and 17.00. Details about exam will be communicated during the course.

All re-exams will take place in form of oral exams and has to be booked with examiner during specific re-examination periods.

 

Project assignment

Project assignment for each group is defined together with the lecturers and tutors (Eduard, Abhinav, Satya, Plinio, Erika and Mukesh) and is focused on proposed components that are intended to be 3D printed as a result of the course. Project groups can also suggest their own proposal that, however, it must be approved before starting the work.

Important issues

Each group with maximum 6 members

One report per group, max 5 pages without attachments

Oral presentation in seminar form with the whole class

Work content

• Application review, based on literature survey and state-of-the-art to justify why AM is suitable for the intended product/design;
• Materials/process selection;
• Assessment of potential product performance and need for post-AM processing;
• Components design by CAD and preparation for AM via Simplify 3D and/or Magics to buildable product;
• Components build using infrastructure provided (focus on prototype printing in polymer);
• Critical review of possible constraints with respect to performance, cost, etc.

During the course, all the groups should print components using polymer/composite printers. Suitable components for metal, ceramic and high-resolution polymer additive manufacturing, after approval, may be selected as demonstrator to be built using variety of AM technologies.

 

Specific practicals

Laboration – polymer printing. After having prepared you own design you are supposed to do a printing using polymer printers. This lab is compulsory and booked on individual group base with the respective groups tutors.