Eight years in the past, requirements group ASTM Worldwide introduced that it was on the lookout for companions to assist arrange a middle of excellence (CoE) within the additive manufacturing subject. The ensuing Additive Manufacturing Heart of Excellence (AM CoE) helps to advance AM technical requirements, analysis and improvement efforts, and training and coaching. Right now, the AM CoE is launching a brand new producer certification program to enhance course of management throughout your complete AM chain, in addition to improve each regulatory compliance and high quality assurance (QA). The launch of this program corresponds with ASTM’s position as a Platinum Sponsor and Data Accomplice for the UK’s definitive additive manufacturing commerce present TCT 3Sixty, which begins this week in Birmingham.
Mohsen Seifi
“This certification is the primary of its variety: a globally acknowledged, multi-industry program constructed on the complete suite of ISO/ASTM additive manufacturing requirements,” Mohsen Seifi, Vice President of World Superior Manufacturing Applications at ASTM Worldwide, informed 3DPrint.com. “It’s designed to enrich — not duplicate — present high quality administration techniques, giving suppliers a unified, sensible framework to fulfill the expectations of main OEMs throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, power, and extra. By focusing particularly on AM processes, the certification helps organizations strengthen belief with their prospects, stand out in aggressive markets, and put together for future alternatives.”
The mission behind this new certification program is twofold. First, ASTM’s AM CoE needs to arrange a sensible certification framework that can also be, as ASTM described in a press launch, “technically rigorous.” Moreover, this system hopes to outline shared expectations for producer high quality within the AM {industry}. The historic high quality administration system (QMS) requirements, akin to ISO-13485 and AS9100, are critically necessary to common {industry}, however they don’t have a selected give attention to AM wants. So, utilizing these requirements as a basis, this new program was purpose-built by AM {industry} leaders with the intention to certify the supplies, processes, and dangers which might be particular to additive operations.
This system was not constructed solely by ASTM Worldwide and the AM CoE; as a substitute, the Additive Manufacturing Certification Committee (AMCC) was shaped in 2024, that includes over 25 finish customers, together with Siemens Vitality, Ford, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Medtronic, and extra. Ruled by ASTM, these main organizations took internationally acknowledged requirements—like ISTO/ASTM 52920 and ISO/ASTM 5290—and layered AM- and OEM-specific audit standards on prime to raised match our {industry} wants.
“By aligning end-user necessities and offering third-party assurance, this initiative helps unlock the complete potential of AM in high-performance purposes. This program closes a important hole in qualifying producers that want to fulfill {industry} and regulatory calls for,” defined Dr. Martin White, Director of Technical Operations for ASTM Worldwide.
By validating the actions particular to AM that conventional QMS packages don’t tackle, the AM certification program being launched right now will provide prospects the wanted assurance, constructed on trusted requirements, to construct up belief throughout their provide chains. It should be a part of ASTM AM CoE’s different certification packages, like ISO/ASTM 52931 for AM facility security certification, ISO/ASTM 52942 and ISO/ASTM 52926 personnel certifications, ISO/ASTM 52920 for AM high quality, and extra.
Over the previous 12 months, the AM CoE performed pilot audits at AM Craft, in addition to KSB and OECHSLER, with the intention to validate the factors and certification strategy of this new program. Every of those pilots proved how adaptable this system is throughout completely different AM supplies, applied sciences, and working environments.
“This was a really optimistic and beneficial alternative for us. We found areas for enchancment to remain forward and stay greatest in school. I might even dare to name this audit an pleasant expertise,” stated Stephan Braun, Specialist Engineer Additive Manufacturing at KSB.
“The audit was thorough, but additionally collaborative and insightful. It gave us a transparent understanding of how our practices align with evolving expectations—and the place we are able to enhance additional,” stated Andreas Knoechel, Head of Program Administration at OECHSLER.
ASTM Worldwide and the AMCC imagine that this new certification program will have the ability to assist producers save on time and prices by lowering redundant audits, in addition to velocity up time-to-market with protected, high-quality AM applied sciences, and enhance transparency between OEMs and their suppliers to raised facilitate compliance. If the above statements are any indication, the brand new certification program ought to be a hit.
For those who’re attending TCT 3Sixty this week, go to Sales space D40 to talk with staff members from ASTM Worldwide and Wohlers Associates and be taught extra concerning the new AMCC Certification program. The staff may also be seen all through this system, together with on the UK AM Person Group assembly on June third and the TCT Awards Ceremony on June 4th.
Pictures courtesy of ASTM Worldwide
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