The answer is: absolutely! Investing in a 3D printer is only the first step towards using additive manufacturing.
Team members require adequate training to stay current with continuously advancing 3D printing technologies and gain an understanding of the materials, applications, and optimal procedures for design and production.
Doing so aids in maximising output and quality and reducing costs as training allows designers to learn ways to optimise the development lifecycle.
This level of understanding is essential for your business to achieve faster and more cost-effective prototyping and production down the line.
What is 3D printing training?
3D printing training includes a broad understanding of all the steps in additive manufacturing, from CAD and slicing software to prototyping and post-processing techniques for finishing parts.
However, your team might already have some knowledge of AM technologies and processes, so the focus of the training can be tailored and adjusted to your existing staff and the level of expertise they bring to the table.
Why is 3D printing training necessary?
3D printing training is necessary to achieve desired production outcomes and apply the technology to high-value business areas.
Your engineers must understand the 3D printing technologies, materials, applications, and best practices required to optimise their designs when working with additive manufacturing.
This is critical because choosing the most appropriate technology for each part design and optimising the design to suit the chosen manufacturing process can significantly affect the project’s outcome.
Managers also need 3D printing training to understand the possibilities, advantages, and limitations of 3D printing and learn about specific applications that can be tailored to their needs for optimal output.
Training helps managers assess the ROI of different 3D printing applications, helping them make informed decisions when considering 3D printing for their business.
What to expect from 3D printing training
3D printing training should be geared towards the business and team’s needs rather than an off-the-shelf product.
For example, a course that covers how 3D printing works using FFF as the example will not be an excellent fit for a business using SLA or SLS.
Suffice it to say, 3D printing training can cover a wide gamut of topics within additive manufacturing, such as:
- Introduction to additive manufacturing (theory and practical application).
- Advanced printer technician training.
- Design for additive manufacturing (CAD and 3D modelling).
- Technology-specific training, e.g., FFF, SLS, SLA.
With an introduction to 3D printing, one can expect to cover the following:
- Theory and background of 3D printing.
- Types of 3D printers.
- Limitations of printing.
- 3D Print materials.
- Slicing files.
- Preparing STL files.
- Print resolution.
- Downloading print files.
- Setting up a 3D printer.
- Basic preventative maintenance.
- Designing basic models and sending them to print.
In an intermediate course, one can also learn about infills, shells, supports, resin 3D printers, advanced troubleshooting, and dual extrusion.
Training for businesses investing in specific technologies, such as SLS, will focus on this method’s specific setup, construction, and production processes.
The goal of all 3D printing training is for engineers and managers to gain and refine a working knowledge that yields high-value parts with the capability to consider the full range of complexities for design improvements, cost savings and time saved.
Expand your knowledge and skillset with Additive-X
Additive-X offers training courses for beginners and advanced users to help you get the best possible results from your 3D printers.
For beginners, our 1-day course covers:
- How 3D printing works.
- Basic CAD software.
- File sources and formats.
- Modifying existing designs.
- Making your creation.
- Free post-training support for delegates.
- Printer settings.
- How to set up a 3D printer.
- Troubleshooting common production problems.
All courses are designed to meet your team’s specific needs and are delivered by experienced instructors with a wealth of knowledge spanning more than 30 different 3D printers from more than 12 manufacturers.
Our knowledgeable and helpful instructors provide straightforward, easy-to-follow advice tailored to your team’s needs.
Training packages include free post-training support, so you can be sure to hit the ground running with your 3D printing projects.
Why choose Additive-X?
Our courses cover practical applications geared around optimising business results. We will help you save money through fewer user errors and less wastage and ensure your team can analyse problems and find efficient solutions.
We are not interested in ticking boxes but in helping your engineers, designers, and technicians utilise AM properly for their role.
Additive-X’s trainers are experienced, having worked extensively within the manufacturing and production industries.
Choose Additive-X for training, and you are guaranteed to come away with the knowledge and abilities to use 3D printing in ways that optimise results.
