Additive Manufacturing Technology - 3D Design and Production

The Certificate of Achievement of Additive Manufacturing Technology: 3D Design and Production prepares individuals in the fundamentals of computer-aided design (CAD), design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), reverse engineering principles, rapid 3D printing prototyping, and required knowledge, skills, and abilities for additive manufacturing lab technicians. Students learn industry-standard practices for the most commonly utilized 3D printing materials and technologies: fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), material jetting, selective laser sintering (SLS), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). In addition, certificate completers will master the fundamental of 3D printing systems operation, maintenance, and service. The certificate curriculum focuses on considerations and rapid prototyping applications of Additive Manufacturing (AM) through a combination of lecture, demonstration, and project-based learning. Students will explore the design and material considerations within AM, configure systems, build prototypes, and create functional parts. The Additive Manufacturing Technology certificate prepares individuals for a range of existing and emerging occupations in the advanced manufacturing sector: CAD designers, additive manufacturing technicians, and applications engineering technicians.

There is increased demand for advanced manufacturing technicians as demonstrated by the 2021-2026 labor market projections for Santa Clara and San Benito Counties for the occupations listed below. (EMSI Occupational Overview) 

17-3026 - Industrial Engineering Technologists - 56 annual openings

17-3027 - Mechanical Engineering Technologists - 44 annual openings

To determine the specific demand for additive manufacturing (AM) technicians, DMT conducted a survey of local manufacturing enterprises, national labs, and R&D centers in late August to September 2021. The survey collected input regarding current and projected demand for CAD designers and additive manufacturing technicians. The survey responders comprised a range of companies and organizations representing the IT, aerospace, defense, and medical device industries, including the following: Apple, Facebook, Intuitive Surgical, NASA/Ames, Sandia National Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin. The 26 survey responses, representing 23 entities, are highlighted below. (De Anza NSF ATE Survey) 

CAD Designer - 396 currently employed with 68 projected hires within next 12 months

AM/3D Printing Technicians - 163 currently employed with 36 within 12 months

Industry 4.0 is a term used to describe the rapid pace of innovation in the manufacturing sector. Included among these advances are developments in the area of additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing. In tandem with these technological advances, there is a growing demand for skilled technicians in new and emerging occupations in the AM sector. The Design and Manufacturing Technologies (DMT) program's proposed Certificate of Achievement Additive Manufacturing Technology: 3D Design and Production builds on their existing certificate and degree offerings in the areas of CAD Design, CNC Machining, and CAD/CAM Programming. The new certificate in Additive Manufacturing Technology: 3D Design and Production certificate is comprised of a fundamental understanding of CAD design, theoretical and applied concepts of additive manufacturing (AM), reverse engineering, and 3D printing systems operations. The curriculum content is recommended by industry experts and was affirmed by the DMT Advisory Committee, whose members include representatives from national laboratories, research centers, and manufacturing enterprises. 

                             

	Year 1	Year 2
Course ID	Annual # Sections	Annual Enrollment Total	Annual # Sections	Annual Enrollment Total
DMT 60 A-E	4	120	4	120
or
DMT 65 A-E	3	90	3	90
DMT53	2	56	2	56
DMT54	1	28	1	28
DMT56	1	28	1	28
DMT57	1	28	1	28

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)

NA

At present, there are two other community colleges in the Bay Area that offer programs in advanced manufacturing, other than CNC machining: Ohlone College and Evergreen Valley College. Ohlone's Smart Manufacturing Technology certificate and A.S. degree features a survey of manufacturing sector skills. Evergreen Valley developed an introductory-level certificate in Advanced Manufacturing. Both programs focus on production and assembly technicians for specific industry partners. De Anza's Additive Manufacturing Technology: 3D Design and Production certificate incorporates CAD design, 3D printing materials and technology, reverse engineering, and production optimization for additive manufacturing.