Case Study: Penn State achieves hands-on additive manufacturing expertise and major part/weight reductions with 3D Systems' 3DXpert and ProX DMP 320

Penn State Master Program Students Gain AM Expertise with 3DXpert and Geomagic Software

Pennsylvania State University’s Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design (MEng AMD) blends theory with hands‑on lab work for on‑campus and online students, many of whom are industry engineers. The program needed professional AM tools that reflect workplace workflows but were still easy to learn and use within very limited on‑campus time.

Penn State adopted 3D Systems’ 3DXpert software and the ProX DMP 320 printer to provide a single integrated workflow from native CAD through build preparation to post‑processing. Students reverse‑engineered and redesigned metal Sterling engines, gaining full control over print parameters and supports and producing highly accurate parts that met or exceeded original performance while significantly cutting weight and part count (up to ~72% volume/weight reduction and up to ~46% fewer parts) and minimizing post‑processing.

Penn State

Guha Manogharan

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering