Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineering

Modern manufacturing relies heavily on producing complex, high-strength components with minimal material waste. Understanding the intersection of traditional powder metallurgy and cutting-edge additive manufacturing is essential for any aspiring mechanical, materials, or production engineer. This text-based course guides you from the fundamental physics of metal powders to the design and execution of industrial 3D printing processes. You will develop the technical literacy needed to select materials, evaluate manufacturing methods, and design components optimized for modern production environments. What you'll learn: - Understand the core principles of powder metallurgy, including powder characterization and production methods. - Analyze key consolidation processes such as compaction, sintering, and hot isostatic pressing. - Explore modern metal additive manufacturing techniques, including powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition. - Evaluate material properties, microstructures, and common defect structures unique to 3D-printed metal parts. - Apply design-for-additive-manufacturing (DfAM) principles to minimize support structures and optimize thermal management. - Examine critical post-processing workflows, surface finishing, and modern hybrid manufacturing trends. The course begins with foundational definitions, powder synthesis, and traditional compaction methods before transitioning to advanced layer-by-layer metal 3D printing technologies and post-processing treatments. Designed for mechanical, production, and materials engineering students or professionals looking for a structured, beginner-friendly introduction to modern metal fabrication, this course requires no prior experience in additive manufacturing. Start building your foundational knowledge of advanced manufacturing today.