Special Issue: Design for Additive Manufacturing: A Paradigm Shift in Design, Fabrication, and Qualification

Abstract

Mechanical engineers design a wide variety of structures, devices, products, and systems. Through manufacturing classes and handson design/build projects, students learn all about the challenges of fabrication, the costs of production, and the importance of quality control. We educators reinforce these lessons by teaching students about “design for manufacturingâ€‌ and the subsequent constraints that each manufacturing process places on how a part is designed, the surface finish that can be achieved, the tolerances that can be held, etc. We teach solid modeling and computeraided design using conventional x, y, z coordinate systems with welldefined datum planes, and students learn design specification using standards for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing established for conventional manufacturing technology. Design tools and analysis methods have been developed based on years of experience and practice and provide engineers with the confidence they need to manufacture highquality parts in high volumes.