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Module details for 2025/26.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)

Module Outline

This module will allow you to evaluate and interact with current and emerging rapid prototyping
technologies under the umbrella of additive manufacturing (AM). It will give you a critical understanding
of how these processes are employed and exploited. You will develop a deep understanding of current
research and scholarship in the field, critiquing applications and proposing innovative ideas. You will
engage with both broad engineering principles and specialized knowledge in the AM field alongside
specialist post-processing technologies. You will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Learning will take place through a combination of lectures and practical workshop sessions and a
substantial extended assignment (with multi-week preparation supported by module tutor) in additive
design for manufacture. To facilitate workshop time, this module makes extensive use of asynchronous
lectures which can be viewed outside of the normal off-the-job training day.

Indicative Content
• Review of available layer-based processes for both polymer and metal-based part manufacture
• Introduction to prototyping and 3D printing hardware and supporting ancillary equipment.
• Introduction to associated additive manufacture design and analysis software.
• Slicing software for AM manufacture
• Methodologies for part positioning overhang, supporting structures, and machine calibration.
• Rapid manufacture, benefits, and attributes with respect to process and material constraints
• Design for Additive Manufacture
• Polymer-based laser sintering techniques, and theory, generation of heat, laser attributes,
reflectivity, stepover and scan speed, heat absorption, layer thickness
• Metal-based sintering and melting techniques, and theory, generation of heat, laser attributes,
reflectivity, stepover and scan speed, heat absorption, layer thickness.
• Powder theory and powder measurement techniques and safety
o CC: Rule of Law
• Post-processing techniques and surface finishing including subtractive approaches.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate critical awareness of current issues and insights associated
with new and innovative additive manufacturing technologies and related
software and hardware architectures.

Demonstrate combination of general and specialist engineering
knowledge and understanding to optimise the application of existing and
emerging technology in additive manufacture.

Deploy originality in the application of theoretical and practical methods to
the analysis and solution of complex engineering design problems using
additive manufacture.

Evaluate and critique potential manufacturing methods and opportunities
associated with additive manufacturing technologies and their
implementation into business operations.

Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Rizuwana Parween

Assess convenor
/profiles/568963