2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Utilization of Additive Manufacturing to support the Manufacturing Innovation Ecosystem

Presented at Manufacturing Division (MFG) Technical Session 7: Emerging Technologies in Manufacturing Education II

Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has been widely adopted across various sectors, including research and development, education, workforce training, and service-oriented activities. Numerous publications and institutional reports have highlighted the successes achieved through these initiatives, often measured by tangible indicators such as the number of intellectual property filings, patents, and textbooks or instructional materials produced.
Despite this growing body of work, a notable gap remains in the literature regarding the direct impact of AM on rural economic development, workforce advancement, and job readiness. This paper addresses that gap by presenting a series of week-long bootcamps designed to integrate AM into traditional manufacturing training programs. The study illustrates how AM technologies can enhance hands-on learning experiences, strengthen technical competencies, and support regional workforce development in rural settings.

Authors

Dr. Ismail Fidan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4233-1049 Tennessee Technological University [biography]

Currently, Dr. Fidan serves as a Professor of the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University. His research and teaching interests are in additive manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, and distance learning.
Suhas S Alkunte Indiana State University [biography]

Dr. Suhas Alkunte is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department at Indiana State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University, specializing in the mechanical characterization of functionally graded materials produced through material extrusion.
Dr. Vivekanand A Naikwadi Tennessee Technological University [biography]

Currently, Dr. Vivekanand Naikwadi serves as a Faculty in the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University. His research and teaching interests include additive manufacturing, metal casting (particularly Lost PLA casting), smart manufacturing, and materials characterization.
Mushfig Mahmudov Tennessee Technological University [biography]

Mushfig Mahmudov is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University with 10 years of shipbuilding experience. His research focuses on additive and hybrid manufacturing for marine applications.
Omer Faruk Ozcan Tennessee Technological University [biography]

Omer Faruk Ozcan is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University. His research focuses on additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, and metal casting processes.

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