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5 Free Online Courses for Manufacturing Professionals

5 Free Online Courses for Manufacturing Professionals

Manufacturing free courses

Manufacturing has been around for thousands of years. When it started it was simply humans creating products by hand, but thanks to the industrial revolution we were able to create products at scale. Manufacturing includes a host of trades in the blue collar industry and is very much an art form. These days the rise of the digital age means manufacturing has also moved into the computer realm with designers using programs to create products and hardware to help speed up the process itself. Below are various free online courses that cover manufacturing from the trades right through to the digital design side.

 

1) Introduction to Manufacturing Processes

 

Institute: The Open University through OpenLearn

Time to complete: 20 hours

 

introduction to manufacturing

 

In this course you will learn how designs are turned into products, what resources, materials and techniques are used in manufacturing. They describe some of the many different ways products are manufactured and how the choice of materials that go into the product influence the method and process used to manufacture that particular product.

“I found this course to be more informative than expected. There is a good example of manufacturing a part which helps contextualize the processes discussed. I will be recommending this to my Line Manager for our junior or non engineering based team members.”

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • Explain the difference between industrial and engineering design with reference to familiar products; and for specific products explain whether it is the product’s form or its function that enhances its value in the marketplace
  • Understand the concept of a product design specification (PDS), and be able to indicate some to the factors which should be included in producing one
  • Describe the role of marketing in developing the PDS for a product
  • Classify products simply in terms of their basic shape
  • Describe the difference between the hot and cold working of metals and give the advantages of each.

 

 

2) Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk 360

 

Institute: Autodesk through Coursera

Time to complete: 9 hours

 

Autodesk CAD digital manufacturing

 

For those who are more design orientated or have that artistic streak but want to use that talent to innovate then try out this course on digital manufacturing. These days professionals design digitally using state-of-the-art software, none better than Autodesk Fusion 360. Fusion 360 is a cloud-based Computer-Aided Design (CAD/CAM) tool for collaborative product development that combines industrial design, mechanical engineering, and machine tool programming into one software solution. With the right training in this technology you can disrupt the manufacturing industry.

 

“The course is perfect for starters with limited or no knowledge about digital design, engineering and manufacturing . It lays out pretty good foundations and great overview of Fusion 360.”

 

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand digital manufacturing, principles of sustainable design, and manufacturing processes
  • Explain and discuss how trends such as generative design and machine learning are influencing innovation, and how things are made
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in foundational concepts of Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software
  • Practice design collaboration and file management best practices using Fusion 360 cloud-based features

 

3) Diploma in Carpentry Studies

 

Institute: US Aid through Alison

Time to complete: 6 – 10 hours

 

Diploma in Carpentry

 

Carpentry is a valuable skill from both a personal and professional standpoint and has stood the test of time, as long as humans continue to build houses carpenters will be in demand. Carpentry is forever changing in this modern world and it to your advantage if you keep up with the latest techniques, material, tools and safety procedures.

 

This course will make you well acquainted with best practices for constructing floor systems, walls and roof structures. It will finish off by teaching you how to close off a structure, including window, door and stair installations.

 

4) Advances in Welding & Joining Technologies

 

Institute: NPTEL via Class Central

Time to complete: 8 weeks

 

Welding online course

 

This course is aimed at professionals who are new to the industry or just wanting to increase their knowledge on modern welding and joining techniques. The world is ever changing and that is no different in the welding and joining industry, with mircojoining and nanojoining becoming increasing important to manufacture miniature components. The course has underlying fundamentals of welding & joining as well as the the more technical side of modern advancements in the field. The course is made up of MCQ’s and ‘Fill in the blanks’ based assignments to test your knowledge.

 

Syllabus:

  • Week 1-2 : Fundamentals of welding and joining (04 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 1 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 2-3: Laser and electron beam welding (02 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 2 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 3-4: Solid state welding processes (03 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 3 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 4-5: Computational welding mechanics (02 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 4 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 5-6: Micro-joining and nano-joining (03 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 5 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 6-7: Welding metallurgy (02 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 6 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 7-8: Welding and joining of non-metals (02 lectures)
    Assignments for Week 7 – MCQ and Fill blanks
  • Week 7-8: Metal transfer in welding and metal printing (02 lectures)

 

5) Diploma in Plumbing Studies

 

Institute: US Aid through Alison

Time to Complete: 10 – 15 hours

 

Plumbing and water systems course

 

This course is targeted at those looking to learn about the modern plumbing industry. Plumbers play an important role in the construction of buildings and homes as they are integral to ensuring sanitation for the inhabitants. For this to be maintained a sound understanding of the modern plumbing techniques, tools and safety procedures is paramount.

 

This course is split in to two sections to make distil the information. The first gives you a brief history of plumbing, the safety and hazard procedures, the plumbing tools currently used and an introduction into drawings. The second section delves into the latest materials used to make pipes and fixtures as well as the pro’s and con’s of using different materials. It finishes off with looking and drainage and water distribution systems.

 

 

 

 

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