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Additive Manufacturing & CAD Design

Move into modern manufacturing. Five days hands-on with industry-standard CAD software and 3D-printing workflows — from blank canvas to finished prototype.

Free after redundancy in Wales with Welsh Government ReAct+ funding

Check if you qualify Download course info (PDF)
5 daysAbout 40 hours, 9am to 5pm
BeginnerLevel
Maesteg or onlineLlynfi Enterprise Centre or live online
£0With ReAct+ funding

What you'll learn on the Additive Manufacturing & CAD course.

Additive manufacturing is transforming how products are designed, tested and produced — from aerospace to healthcare to consumer goods. Welsh manufacturers are adopting these technologies fast, and they need people who can operate them.

This five-day course takes you from zero CAD experience to producing a fully designed and 3D-printed prototype. You'll learn Fusion 360, slicing software, material selection, and the design thinking that makes additive manufacturing viable.

No prior CAD or 3D printing experience needed. You just need spatial curiosity and a willingness to iterate.

40hIntensive training
5Hands-on labs
3Portfolio deliverables
1:6Tutor ratio max

Five days, one step at a time.

Mornings are taught sessions. Afternoons are hands-on labs where you build something real.

  1. Day 1

    3D Modelling Fundamentals

    Your first 3D model — understanding 3D space, sketching, extruding, and basic solid modelling.

    • Introduction to 3D design
    • Fusion 360 interface & navigation
    • 2D sketching in 3D space
    • Extrusions & revolves
    • Basic modifications (fillet, chamfer)
    • Design history & parametric modelling

    LabModel a practical object from scratch in Fusion 360

  2. Day 2

    Advanced CAD & Assembly

    Multi-part assemblies, joints, and the CAD skills that separate prototypers from professional designers.

    • Multi-body & component design
    • Assembly joints & constraints
    • Section analysis & interference
    • Pattern features
    • Sheet metal basics
    • Rendering & visualisation

    LabDesign and assemble a multi-component product

  3. Day 3

    Design for Additive Manufacturing

    Not everything designed in CAD prints well. Learn the rules, constraints and optimisations for successful 3D printing.

    • FDM, SLA, SLS process overview
    • Design rules for FDM printing
    • Support structures & overhangs
    • Wall thickness & infill
    • Tolerances & fit
    • Topology optimisation basics

    LabRedesign a part specifically optimised for 3D printing

  4. Day 4

    3D Printing Operations

    Hands-on with real printers. Slicing, material selection, bed preparation, printing, and troubleshooting.

    • Slicing software (Cura/PrusaSlicer)
    • Material selection (PLA, PETG, TPU)
    • Print settings & profiles
    • Bed adhesion & calibration
    • Print monitoring & troubleshooting
    • Post-processing (sanding, finishing)

    LabPrint your optimised design and iterate based on results

  5. Day 5

    Prototyping & Production

    From prototype to product. Iterative design, costing, production planning and presenting your work.

    • Rapid prototyping workflows
    • Iterative design methodology
    • Cost analysis for additive vs traditional
    • Production planning
    • Quality control & inspection
    • Portfolio & presentation preparation

    CapstonePresent your complete design-to-prototype workflow

Learner designing a part in Fusion 360 on the free Additive Manufacturing and CAD course in Maesteg

Three real projects for your CV.

You leave with work you can show an employer, not just a certificate.

  • Working 3D-Printed Prototype

    A physical product you designed, optimised, printed and finished — tangible proof of your skills.

  • CAD Portfolio Piece

    A professional Fusion 360 project with full design history, assembly, drawings and renders.

  • Design-to-Production Workflow

    Documented workflow from concept to printed part including material selection, costing and iteration.

Is this course right for you?

Best for: Designers, engineers, manufacturers, makers.

This is for you if…

  • Manufacturing workers wanting modern digital skills
  • Designers interested in rapid prototyping
  • Engineers wanting to add additive manufacturing knowledge
  • Career changers attracted to product design and making
  • Anyone curious about how 3D printing really works

It's probably not for you if…

  • You already use Fusion 360 or SolidWorks professionally
  • You want purely software-based design without physical making
  • You need industrial-scale manufacturing (injection moulding, CNC)
  • You're looking for jewellery-specific or artistic 3D printing

Your next chapter starts a week on Monday.

Five days is all it takes. Check you qualify, then reserve your place on the next Additive Manufacturing & CAD course.

Reserve my place Check if you qualify