POLYMERIC MATERIALS AND DIGITAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGIES
cod. 1011122

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding:
through the class lessons the student will acquire the basic theoretic knowledge of the materials used in 3D printing processes and of the matter-laser interaction; he will know how to use the CAD design tools for 3D digital fabrication and the 3D printers.



Applying knowledge and understanding:
through the class practice exercises, related to all the program topics, the student will learn how to use and apply, in the frame of actual situations, the analysis and design tools for digital design and fabrication.



Autonomous judgment:
at the end of the course the student must be able to critically understand the characteristics and the behavior of matter and to evaluate the performances and the suitability according to the foreseen application. He must be also able to process data in order to verify the required performances.

Communication ability:
through the class lessons and the academic debates, the student will acquire the specific terms used in additive manufacturing. At the end of the course, the student is expected to orally communicate the main contents of the course, including ideas, engineering problems and solutions. The student must also communicate his/her knowledge with proper tools, like diagrams, schemes and actual description of the devices.


Learning ability:
after following the course, the student will be able to autonomously deepen his/her knowledge in digital fabrication through specialist textbooks and journals, even for topics not investigated in detail during the lessons. This in order to successfully face future job or educational activities.

Prerequisites

Course unit content

The course will cover the following topics:
introduction;
laser radiation-matter interaction;
basics of light source physics, laser and led;
type of sources used in digital fabrication process;
atomic structure;
synthesis and structure of polymers;
mechanical behaviour of polymers, applications and production processes; viscoelasticity and rheometry bases;
3D printing technologies, formative, subtractive and additive;
3D printing process, from CAD to finish;
design CAD for digital fabrication;
design for polymer 3D printing, slicing software and g-code;
material extrusion, VAT polymerization, powder bed fusion, material jetting, binder jetting technologies;
3D printing applications;
fused deposition modeling;
stereolithography, two photon polymerization; selective laser sintering.

Full programme

Bibliography

Ben Redwood, Filemon Schöffer & Brian Garret, "The 3D Printing Handbook, technologies, design and applications", 3D HUBS B.V., B.V. Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2017).
William D. Callister, David G. Rethwisch, “Material science and engineering”, EDISES.

Teaching methods

Lessons (70%);
classroom exercise and lab activity (25%), according to the health condition ;
seminars given by external experts (5%).

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam comprises an oral discussion and the presentation of the possible lab activity. The final score is given by a combination of the scores of oral exam and of the lab activity.
The oral discussion is aimed to verify the student knowledge and understanding of basic light sources, radiation and matter interaction, material properties, 3D printing.

Other information

2030 agenda goals for sustainable development