Multi-body assemblies, surface modeling, multi-material, functional parts, post-processing — everything past first-principles CAD.
The path from intermediate CAD to engineering-grade design. This course covers multi-body design + assemblies, surface modeling for organic shapes, designing for print orientation, supports strategy (tree + grid + soluble), multi-material printing (IDEX + AMS + manual swap), functional parts (living hinges, printed bearings, gears, compliant mechanisms), strength + anisotropy, post-processing (sanding + painting + vapor smoothing + dyeing), hardware integration (heat-set inserts + magnets + gaskets), and topology optimization + lattices. Five rich capstones let you ship serious projects: an articulated print-in-place toy, a functional gearbox, a drone or robot frame, a precision jig, or a weatherproof outdoor mount.
Built by Lakshya Kumar
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I'm learning advanced 3D printing + CAD: multi-body design, surface modeling (Blender/Plasticity), supports strategy (tree, grid, soluble), multi-material (IDEX/AMS), functional parts (living hinges, gears, compliant mechanisms), strength + anisotropy, post-processing (sanding, painting, vapor smoothing), hardware integration (heat-set inserts, magnets, gaskets), and topology optimization. Help me think about design choices: which feature to use, which material, which orientation, which post-processing approach.
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Sign in to applyComplete all modules, then submit the required number of capstone projects. Each must earn a passing rating from an admin reviewer.
Design an articulated print-in-place toy — a dragon, pterodactyl, posable figurine, or articulated mechanism. The toy must print in one piece (no assembly required) and have functional moving joints. Each joint requires proper clearance (0.4mm typical), oriented so it survives printing. Document the joint design choices, the print orientation that makes it work, and at least one iteration cycle if joints don't move on the first attempt.
Design and print a working gearbox with stated reduction ratio (e.g., 1:5 or 1:10). Could be: planetary gear set, worm gearbox, or simple spur gear pair. Demonstrate it driving a real load: rotating a small object, raising a small weight, or similar. Document the gear design (module, teeth count, ratio), print orientation, material choice, and the load test.
Design a chassis that accommodates real off-the-shelf electronics (motors, ESCs, flight controller for drone; or motor + microcontroller for robot). The frame must mount everything properly with heat-set inserts. For drone: aim for 250-class or smaller. For robot: tracked or wheeled is fine. Must survive: 30 minutes of intended use (flight or driving) without structural failure. Document material choice, weight, and operation test.
Design a measurement fixture or assembly jig that holds parts within ±0.1mm tolerance. Could be: a soldering jig that aligns electronic components, a measuring fixture for parts, a router jig for woodworking. Verify the tolerance with measurements. Document calibration, material choice, and how the jig integrates with the workflow it supports.
Design an outdoor mount for electronics (sensor, camera, antenna) that's weatherproof to IPX5 or better. Use ASA or PETG; integrate gaskets; include heat-set inserts for screw-down assembly. Must survive: one full storm cycle (test by exposing outdoors). Document material choice, gasket design, mounting hardware, and the weather test results.
Mesh tools for organic modeling. Used in M2.