Here you will learn how to design, optimize, and prepare components specifically for 3D printing for industrial use. Practical. Certified. Eligible for funding with an education voucher or BFD.
FDM · SLA · SLS
Full-time or part-time
Up to 100 % of the costs covered
Full coverage of costs for male and female soldiers
State-approved educational institution
Basic knowledge of CAD or engineering helps, but is not a requirement.
You will learn everything else in the course.
... and a desire for problem-solving.
So that you can follow the class well.
In the aptitude test, we will find out together whether your profile is an optimal match for the course content.
Monday to Friday, 08:00 AM to approx. 04:00 PM. The fastest way to the new job.
Alongside your job or family. We will discuss the exact times with you during the consultation.
In both models: one on-site week per module in our workshop in Altenholz near Kiel (local hotel partnership), the rest online.
You develop and optimize components specifically designed for 3D printing. This means: you plan geometries that save material while offering the same stability.
You work with simulation and topology optimization software and are learning how to prepare designs for FDM, SLA, and SLS processes.
After completing the further training, you can integrate additive manufacturing technologies into your daily development processes and act as a liaison between design and production.
The further training is divided into three modules that build logically on one another and combine theory with practical implementation: Learn how to model components for additive processes, plan tolerances, and design support-free structures. Understand the differences between FDM, SLA, and SLS.
Module 1 · 200 TU · 20 days
Contents: Process logic: Layer orientation, anisotropy, wall buildup. Support-free & material-appropriate design (PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, CF). Dimensional & tolerance design, interfaces, functional integration. Practice: Analysis & optimization of existing designs. Variant design, parametrics & simple FEM estimations.
Purpose: You are learning how to creatively utilize the design language of FDM printing, from layer aesthetics and support-free design to material and color effects.
Your benefit: You can develop robust, efficient, and FDM-optimized components. A skill that makes you extremely valuable for technical companies, R&D departments, and modern manufacturing environments.
Module 2 · 200 teaching units · 20 days
Contents: Process principles and material behavior (shrinkage, UV curing), dimensional and tolerance design for precise small parts, detail accuracy, surface quality and functional integration, support planning and post-processing (support removal, curing, finishing), STL optimization and data preparation.
Purpose: You are learning to design delicate and high-precision components for SLA, DLP, and LCD so that they are stable, dimensionally accurate, and economically producible.
Your benefit: You can construct extremely precise SLA parts, safely master critical geometries, and optimize designs for dimensional accuracy and surface quality. Skills that make you particularly valuable for development departments, prototyping teams, and series production.
Module 3 · 200 teaching units · 20 days
Contents: Introduction to SLS, material behavior (PA12, TPU) and lightweight design principles, nesting-optimized design and powder removal, dimensional design and tolerances, development of functional SLS parts for serial production and build space utilization, post-processing-oriented design (blasting, milling, painting), simulation of thermal stresses, parametrics and variant generation.
Purpose: You are learning to design components for the SLS process without support structures, with low warpage, and with integrated functionality so that they can be manufactured reliably and efficiently.
Your benefit: You can develop complex SLS components that are directly suitable for series production. A sought-after skill that makes you significantly more valuable in industry, product development, and additive manufacturing.
We'll review your eligibility and funding options.
Theory, CAD practice, and additive manufacturing processes using real design projects.
Upon successful completion, you will receive your recognized certificate.
The further training is conducted as a hybrid model: For each module, you spend an on-site week at our workshop in Altenholz near Kiel and print your own designs. There is a hotel partnership for the on-site weeks. You will learn online on the remaining course days.
There are many pure CAD designers. Designers who can additionally design process-appropriately for FDM, SLA, and SLS are rare. Companies are increasingly filling this exact interface permanently because it reduces misprints, material costs, and iteration loops.
Typical application areas – in any industry where development and manufacturing converge closely.
Global 3D printing market in billions of USD, +19 % per year. Source: Precedence Research
The Employment Agency covers 100 % of the costs.
Soldiers benefit from full funding through the Vocational Advancement Service.
Flexible installment payments are of course also possible.
All answers in one place. Is your question missing? We will clarify it in person during the aptitude test.
If you are eligible for an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) from the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit - AfA), we can even offer you the entire further training course free of charge.
Male and female soldiers can also have all costs reimbursed through the German Armed Forces Vocational Advancement Service (BFD).
We will tell you the current costs for self-payers during the consultation. Of course, you have the option to arrange a payment plan with us. That way, you can focus on your future first and pay the costs afterwards.
If you have a specific question about the prices or installment payments, then you can sign up here for a short phone call and then usually receive an immediate answer as to whether you are eligible for funding or the conditions for the installment plan.
We will clarify this with your contact person at the Employment Agency.
Here too, it makes sense for us to have a brief conversation in advance to get everything underway.
Then you just have to fill out and sign a form.
We will take care of the rest.
The entire 3D printing designers course has a total duration of: 600 training units over 60 days
FDM 3D Printing Course: Duration: 200 teaching units over 20 days
The SLA 3D Printing course: Duration: 200 teaching units over 20 days
The SLS 3D Printing course: Scope: 200 teaching units over 20 days
(1 lesson unit „LU“ is 45 min.)
The modules take place full-time to get you ready for a new job as quickly as possible.
Typically, you are already further educated after just one quarter and can jump-start your new career.
The further training is hybrid instruction:
Per module, you spend one week of intensive hands-on practical work on-site in our workshop:
Mach-3D GmbH
Dänischenhagener Straße 1
24161 Altenholz
For this, we have a partnership with a local hotel and can accommodate you at any time.
You can learn everything else comfortably from home.
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us directly at:
The training day starts in the morning at 08:00 and generally ends at 16:00.
A new course starts about every 4 weeks.
Therefore, check your suitability via the Form and we will figure out together when is the best time for you to start.
💻 Basic PC skills, ⚙️ technical aptitude & problem-solving skills, 🇩🇪 German language skills approx. B1, and 🦾 motivation to further develop.
You will learn everything else in the course.
In the course, you will work with Autodesk Fusion 360 for CAD design, common slicer programs such as PrusaSlicer and Cura, as well as simulation tools – hands-on with real FDM, SLA, and SLS machines at the Mach-3D Academy in Altenholz near Kiel.
You are learning CAD design for additive manufacturing, material selection, component optimization for 3D printing, as well as FDM, SLA, and SLS processes. The course is hands-on and takes place in Kiel.
Yes, the further training is AZAV-certified and can be financed via the Federal Employment Agency's education voucher, BFD funding, or installment payments. We will help you with the application.
You do not need any prior CAD knowledge. The course is aimed at technically interested individuals who want to enter or transition into additive manufacturing.
The further training lasts 60 days (full-time) or optionally in part-time. It takes place in person in Kiel/Altenholz.
At our training center in Altenholz near Kiel (Dänischenhagener Str. 1, 24161 Altenholz). No online course – we focus on real hands-on practice with real machines.
Start your advanced training as a designer for additive manufacturing and take your technical knowledge to the next level.
