Additive Manufacturing, or 3-D printing, is the process of making a three dimensional object using an additive process where the object is built by laying successive layers of material to shape the object. This distinguishes AM from traditional manufacturing where machining techniques that rely on removal of material by cutting, milling or drilling (subtractive process) are used. Spatial Visualization has become a required skill set in this growing field and there is a revitalized educators’ interest in SV because historically SV skills were believed to be learned as a “by-product” of graphics (CAD) education. However, research shows that work with solid models versus a computer screen is necessary. This module builds 3-D visualization skills using a manual technique (manipulation of a solid object on a virtual build platform). Students are introduced to the Orthogonal Cartesian Coordinate System, types of positive rotations possible, and orienting an object on the build platform with relation to
the operator and with relation to the machine.