Smart Product Development with Additive Manufacturing

Starts February
English
30 ECTS
5 months

Eindhoven

What if you could dream, design, and hold your product in just days? With Additive Manufacturing (AM), better known as 3D printing, the possibilities are endless. From ultra-light aerospace parts to life-changing medical implants, from high-tech robotics to sustainable automotive solutions, AM is transforming the way we design, build, and innovate. Explore both the science and practice of AM: from metals and composites to simulation and design optimization. Learn about the possibilities and bring them to life in lab and in company-driven projects.

About this minor

The Smart Product Development with Additive Manufacturing minor focuses on the design and creation of products using 3D printing technologies. You will learn how to
develop innovative products using additive manufacturing techniques to bring The possibilities go far beyond standard plastics. For example, you’ll dive into the exciting world of:

Metal printing: Creating strong, high-precision components for industries such as aerospace, medical, and tooling. Think custom implants, turbine blades, or molds with complex cooling channels.
Large Scale Composite printing: Combining strength, size and speed for advanced applications in mobility, tooling, design and robotics. Imagine parts the size of a car being printed in just hours, fully produced from recycled materials.

Why the minor SPDAM?

Unlock the potential of AM: Explore the capabilities and challenges of AM and learn how to effectively apply it in industry.
Hands-on experience: Work with industrial AM equipment, advanced software, and testing methods.
Design smarter products: Design functional parts in the fields of mechanics, heat transfer, and fluid flow, while making smart choices in materials and processes.
Learn from experts: Guest-lectures by industry-leading companies & Researchers in the field of AM.
Brainport Industries Campus: Be part of the Netherlands’ largest AM ecosystem where education and industry collaborate.

More about the minor

This program is all about creativity, engineering, and innovation. You will develop your technical expertise in design, simulation, and production while gaining project management and teamwork skills. The minor is strongly practice-oriented: you’ll spend time in labs, workshops, and real-world projects.

Our location at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) ensures that you are surrounded by pioneering companies, research facilities, and experts pushing AM forward. Guest lectures, company visits, and direct collaboration will inspire you to see how your work contributes to the products and technologies of tomorrow.

Programme

The SPDAM minor combines theory, practice, and real-world projects into one learning experience worth 30 ECTS. You will follow five modules and work on one integrated project:

Design for Additive Manufacturing

Learn how to design parts specifically for AM and discover where this technology adds real value.

Practical Skills for Additive Manufacturing

Get hands-on in the lab with 3D printers: from scanning and slicing to production prep, post-processing, and testing.

Production techniques & Materials science

Dive into the materials and processes of AM at both atomic and practical level and see how they differ from traditional techniques.

Stress Analysis & Optimization

Use simulation tools to analyze and optimize printed parts and push your designs further with topology optimization.

Heat and Flow Analysis

Apply simulations to optimize heat transfer and fluid flow. For example, in heatsinks, molds, or advanced cooling systems.

Integrated Product Development

The heart of the minor: work in a multidisciplinary team on a real industry assignment. Together with a company and a tutor, you will analyze, design, build, and test a product
where Adaptive Manufacturing makes the difference. Along the way, you’ll develop your project management, research, and presentation skills.

The minor SPDAM offers a broad learning experience, providing insights into topics such as:

Design rules
Material selection
Adaptive Manufacturing processes
Product simulations
Material testing

A sound and thorough professional development is our goal. Most modules are practical and project based. In addition to that the foundational knowledge base will be evaluated with three formative assessments (graded exams).

For who?

This minor is open to:

Students with a background in engineering, product design, or related fields.
Students who preferably have basic understanding of CAD software and materials science.
Students who are eager to work on innovative, hands-on projects.

How to apply for this minor

Please note

Not every minor starts in February and in September. You can find the start dates at the top of the minor's page.
To take part in the minor, you must have obtained your propaedeutic diploma or have permission from the examination board of your programme.

Apply as a Fontys student
Apply as a non-Fontys student

Agenda

Register here for one of our activities. This way you can be sure whether this is the minor for you! We hope to see you soon!

Minor orientation Smart Product Development with Additive Manufacturing | Online

29 Oct 2025 19:00 - 20:00 CET

Programme

This orientation session explains the content of the minor, its structure, and any admission requirements. You will have the opportunity to ask questions you may have, so that you can decide whether the minor is right for you. The orientation session will be held in English.

Minor orientation Smart Product Development with Additive Manufacturing | Online

30 Oct 2025 19:00 - 20:00 CET

Programme

Practical information

All teaching during this minor is offered in English, including educational materials.

All activities will take place in Eindhoven at the Brainport Industries Campus, with occasional practicals in the Nexus building.

A minor regulation informs you about what you will learn, how the assessment is structured, and when you have completed the minor. As a student, you can derive rights from the minor regulation.

Go to minor regulations