Rapid Prototyping Workshop

Target group
This workshop is aimed at beginners who are interested in 3D printing but have not yet ventured into it.The target group are SMEs and public organizations seeking a practical, hands-on introduction to rapid prototyping.If you already have experience with 3D printers, but have not created designs in a CAD program yourself, this workshop is also for you!

Learning Objectives

• Gain foundational skills in parametric 3D CAD design (using OnShape)
• Explore 3D printers as a versatile tool for everyday tasks, workflow optimizations, and quick idea validation.
• Train your spatial understanding and the mindset to convert 3D objects into 2D sketches and vice versa.
• Understand how rapid prototyping reduces production time and costs while improving innovation cycles.
• Build confidence in selecting and operating 3D printing solutions for various organizational needs.

Prerequisites

• No experience in CAD / 3D printing is required.
• You will do hands-on exercises. You can use your own laptop or the provided PCs
• If you want to access the designs created during the workshop, create an accout at Onshape in advance

Workshop content

Introduction

• What is rapid prototyping?
• What are we doing together during the workshop?
• Query the skill level of the participants

Workshop Case Study

• Create a possible scenario and a target object for the workshop
• Work out the necessary steps to achieve the target
• Differentiate between what we can do as beginners and what we leave to mechanical engineers

Introduction to spatial understanding and sketching

• How to think about creating 3D models based on 2D sketches
• How to convert 2D sketches into 3D using extrusion, etc.
• Understand the design-process of existing 3D-objects (virtual & real)

Hands-on Introduction to OnShape

• Basic terminology and the program in general
• How to create 2D-Sketches
• Basic dimension-driven sketching
• Basic constraints
• Creating the first simple 3D-Object from a 2D-Sketch
• Understand the construction timeline

Hands-on introduction to 3D printing

• Basic Introduction to 3D-printers, printer types and printing materials
• How to export designed 3D models
• How to slice 3D-models for the 3D-printer
• Printing the first model

Lunch break

Advanced Sketching

• Sketching based on real world objects
• Learning to measure correctly with calipers
• Parametric design as basis for rapid iteration

Advanced modeling

• Multi-Sketch modelling
• Advanced create features
• Revolve, Loft, fillet, chamfer, shell, holes
• Linear / circular patterns
• Post-sketch modifiers
• boolean operations
• Projections
• Prinability of 3D-models

Advanced slicing options

• Supports
• Speed
• Model Strength/ Stability
• Multi-Color printing
• Multi-material printing

Conclusion

• Outlook on what 3D printing can be used for 
• Online libraries for 3D models
• Where to print