FDM 3D Printing Technician

The FDM 3D Printing Certificate prepares students for entry‑level roles supporting 3D printing operations in makerspaces, educational labs, fabrication shops, and manufacturing environments. In these roles, individuals operate and maintain FDM 3D printers, prepare and process print jobs, troubleshoot common issues, and finish printed parts for functional use, prototyping, or low‑volume production.This certificate program is an 18-hour course that combines online instruction with hands‑on lab experience to teach the complete fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing workflow. Students learn core 3D printing concepts and safety practices, prepare print files using slicing software, and operate FDM printers to produce accurate and repeatable parts. The program emphasizes practical, job‑ready skills, including material selection, printer setup and calibration, troubleshooting print defects, post‑processing, and basic assembly. Students also complete introductory 3D modeling exercises focused on designing parts specifically for FDM printing, with attention to fit and tolerances.Students will be most successful in this program if they bring:The use of FDM 3D printing continues to grow in education, product development, and manufacturing as organizations adopt additive manufacturing for prototyping, tooling, and low‑volume production. Entry‑level technicians with hands‑on 3D printing skills are increasingly valuable in environments that support rapid iteration and on‑demand fabrication

Program Course Sequence