Course detail

Design and 3D Print

FSI-6KMAcad. year: 2025/2026

During the lectures, students will learn about the mechanisms and drives of contemporary machines, their principles, design and use. The most commonly used kinematic and hydraulic mechanisms and electric and internal combustion engines will be introduced. Attention is also paid to microelectromechanical systems and motors powered by renewable energy sources. Applications of mechanisms in practice will also be discussed, for example, students will learn about high-performance drives for motorsport, design of high-speed cams, design of unconventional gears, and applications of articulated shafts.

During the exercises, students will learn the basics of Solidworks modelling through team projects, and they will get hands-on experience with 3D printing technology in the design and construction of mechanisms and their production using 3D printing.

This course is compulsory-optional in 3rd year of general bachelor's degree program. Its choice is recommended for all students who are oriented towards solving of various mechanical design problems.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Tomáš Koutecký, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Machine and Industrial Design (ÚK)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of kinematics (kinematic analysis of mechanisms), dynamics (multibody dynamics, balancing), machine design (fasteners, gears, clutches, flywheels) at the level of the Bachelor's degree programme aimed on mechanical engineering.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Graded credit course requirement is elaboration of semestral project: Semestral projects will be addressed in teams of 3-5 students. Projects will focus on the creation of virtual and functional model of specified mechanism. The overall evaluation includes a separately modelled part in Solidworks and then the completion of the mechanism project (model in Solidworks and the manufactured mechanism on a 3D printer) and its presentation.

 

 

Attendance at lectures is recommended, attendance at seminars and laboratory seminars is mandatory and controlled by the teacher. It is necessary for each student to have their own laptop during the exercises. Compensation for missed classes is the responsibility of the exercise leader. 

 

 

Aims

Graduates will be able to design and model parts and assemblies in CAD software Solidworks with respect to production using 3D printing. At the same time, they will gain an overview of modern mechanisms and drive machines and their practical use.

 

- Knowledge of the principle, construction and use of basic types of drive mechanisms and machines.
- Ability to use acquired knowledge creatively to design new machines and equipment.
- Significant extension and improvement of previous mechanical design courses.
- Skills in 3D printing of plastic parts and their dimensioning for Fused Filament Fabrication technology. Practical experience in 3D modeling of mechanical parts that will be verified on 3D printed mechanisms.
- Ability to work with parametric models and efficient design and process of various design solutions. Application of this experiences during construction work, creation of virtual models in semestral projects, diploma and bachelor theses and implementation of prototypes.
- Practical experience with 3D printing, as a fast growing area, expands a competitiveness in the labor market.

Study aids

Support for lectures, videos of lectures from previous semesters and materials for exercises are provided via e-learning.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

FRANCE, Anna Kaziunas. Make: 3D printing. Sebastopol: Maker Media, 2013, xv, 213 stran : ilustrace (převážně barevné). ISBN 978-1-4571-8293-8. (EN)
GEBHARDT, Andreas, Julia KESSLER a Laura THURN. 3D printing: understanding additive manufacturing. 2nd edition. Munich: Cincinnati: Hanser Publishers ; Hanser Publications, 2019, xvi, 204 stran : ilustrace ; 24 cm. ISBN 978-1-56990-702-3. (EN)
NORTON, Robert L. Design of machinery: An introduction to the synthesis and analysis of mechanisms and machines. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. ISBN 00-774-2171-X. (EN)
Ulicker, J. J., Pennock, R., Shigley, J. E.: Theory of machines and mechanisms. Oxford University Press, 5rd edition, 2017, ISBN-13: 978-0190264505 (EN)

Recommended reading

FRANCE, A. K. Make: 3D Printing: The Essential Guide to 3D Printers. 1st ed. Maker Media, Inc., December 13, 2013. ISBN 978-1457182938 (EN)
WILSON, Charles E. a Peter J. SADLER. Kinematics and dynamics of machinery. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education International Inc., 2003. ISBN 02-013-5099-8.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-KSI-P Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme B-ZSI-P Bachelor's

    specialization STI , 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Tomáš Koutecký, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to mechanisms. Kinematics and dynamics of the crank mechanism.
2. Design of the crank mechanism. Balancing.
3. Kinematics and dynamics of the cam mechanisms. Manufacture of cam.
4. Design of the cam mechanisms. The variable valve timing.
5. 3D printing, principles and technologies.
6. The corrected tooth gears and profile modification.
7. Unconventional tooth gears. Gearboxes of sports cars.
8. Universal join shafts, CV joints, axles of racing cars.
9. Internal combustion engines, unconventional design
10. Electric motors and generators. Hybrid drives in motorsport.
11. Wind and water engines, unconventional design.
12. Microelectromechanical systems. Accelerometer and gyroscope.
13. Summary of subject matter.

Laboratory exercise

12 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Tomáš Koutecký, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. 3D print of test parts.
2. 3D print of designed parts.
3. 3D print of designed parts of the mechanisms.
4. Postprocessing of printed parts, assembling of the mechanisms, presentation of the results.

Computer-assisted exercise

14 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Tomáš Koutecký, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the subject. Introduction to 3D print technology. Assignment of projects. Solidworks, graphical user interface and control.
2. Solidworks – interface of Solidworks, sketcher, basics of 3D modeling.
3. Solidworks – 3D features, design of parts.
4. Solidworks – assemblies, drawings.
5. Solidworks – parametrization of parts, advanced desing.
6. 3D print – concept of part designing, software tools, 3D print settings, data export.
7. Mechanisms – concept and design of selected mechanisms.
8. Mechanisms – design of the mechanisms parts in Solidworks software.
9. Mechanisms – drawigns for semestral projects.