University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

3D Printing Hardware

Matthew Griffin
Alex Larson

Instructors: Matthew Griffin

15,157 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.1

(106 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 31 hours
Learn at your own pace
92%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.1

(106 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 31 hours
Learn at your own pace
92%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Understand the history and development of desktop 3D printers

  • Describe the different types of desktop 3D printers, how they work, what they are used for, and objects they can create

  • Set-up and prepare a 3D desktop printer for printing a test object

  • Identify 3D printable objects and prepare them for 3D desktop printing

Details to know

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Assessments

20 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 6 modules in this course

In this welcome module, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. In module 1, you will learn about “desktop” 3D printing as opposed to any other sort of 3D printing. You’ll learn this and more by exploring the history behind the creation of desktop 3D printers, overviews of the different types of desktop 3D printers, expose a few of the common misconceptions about them, and explore where you might gain access to them for yourself, including details to help you make an informed decision about the class of desktop 3D printer hardware that suits your specific needs and budget.

What's included

8 videos5 readings4 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

From a distance, the process of 3D printing looks like magic. Step closer and see how all of the core systems and components work together to fabricate real physical objects from digital design files. We make our first of two excursions “under the hood“ to look at the core systems and components that together and in parallel bring function to 3D printers.

What's included

11 videos2 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Now that we have an understanding of the controls and motion system. Let’s take a closer look at the extrusion process and what makes 3D printer filament so special. Let’s learn about the materials and processing that they go through when being printed.

What's included

8 videos2 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Now that you have looked closely at the fundamental physical systems and components involved with how desktop 3D printers function, and how they can be operated in “normal” situations, it is time to explore the processes involved with preparing digital objects and creating the job files (G-Code, or variant) that will drive the fabrication process.

What's included

8 videos2 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Okay, you’ve taken a broad view of desktop machines in the context of the history of 3D printers, very close view of the specific components and systems underneath the hood, and have crossed back-and-forth across the virtual-physical divide -- now it is time to spend some time seeing what it is like to use them!

What's included

5 videos2 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

In the final module we will then wrap up our exploration of operating desktop 3D printing hardware, covering the moment you hit print to fabricate a part, through to the stages that follow. We’ll wrap up the course with a section highlighting approaches to technical support, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance, as long as some recommendations for common tools, mods, and add-ons we hope to help you on your own 3D printer experiences that will follow.

What's included

7 videos3 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt1 plugin

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.2 (34 ratings)
Matthew Griffin
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1 Course15,157 learners
Alex Larson
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2 Courses16,953 learners

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4.1

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