Topic outline

  • Feasibility of Additive Manufacturing in Mass Production Applications

    Credits: 6 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides a rigorous technical and economic analysis of additive manufacturing (AM) in the context of mass production. It explores the technological readiness, scalability, process control, and material constraints of AM systems when applied beyond prototyping into serial production. The course evaluates both polymer and metal-based AM processes, integrating engineering design considerations, lifecycle costing, digital thread integration, and supply chain disruption potential. Through technical detail and industrial case studies, engineers will assess the feasibility and practical limitations of deploying additive manufacturing in high-volume production environments.

    Topics:

    By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
    • Evaluate the core capabilities and limitations of major additive manufacturing processes for high-volume production.
    • Perform comparative analyses between AM and conventional manufacturing based on throughput, cost, material properties, and scalability.
    • Identify design strategies and tools for Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) in mass production.
    • Analyze the impact of AM adoption on production logistics, quality assurance systems, and supply chains.
    • Apply relevant ISO/ASTM standards to ensure repeatability and quality in AM parts at scale.

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
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    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.

    Important – Payment is required prior to printing of your certificate of completion.

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    Print the Certificate of Completion


    Intended Audience: This course is intended for mechanical, manufacturing, systems, automation, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require a general knowledge of additive manufacturing principles, within mass production applications. 

    Publication Source: Cadistics Courseware

    Donald Parnell, PE