Category Archives: Assessing AM Quality: Utilizing Existing Standards

Standards in Additive Manufacturing (AM)

Introduction

As additive manufacturing (AM) progresses towards production applications, the importance of having comprehensive standards covering all aspects of AM technology becomes essential. These standards encompass various areas, including the manufacturing process, feedstock, file structure, part quality, yield, and more. Several standard agencies, such as ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials), ANSI (American National Standards Institute), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), CEN (European Committee for Standardization), NASA, and others, define AM standards for different industries. In this study, our focus will not be on defining new standards but rather on utilizing existing standards and methods to assess the quality of AM machines and parts. Additionally, we will provide you with tools to determine the performance limits of your SLS/SLM 3D printer, with a specific emphasis on dimensional and microstructural integrity of AM parts. The international tolerance ISO-286, which falls under the ISO’s Geometrical Product Specifications – GPS, will be chosen as a reference for dimensional tolerances. ISO-286 is a comprehensive standard that covers both additive manufacturing (AM) and subtractive manufacturing (SM) techniques, making it an appropriate benchmark for comparison with other technologies. To evaluate structural integrity, we will analyze the consistency of material bonding and employ our own analysis tool.

Comparison of AM with Other Industries

Table 1 below illustrates how standards enable consumers to assess product performance. This prompts an important question: would you purchase a Tesla car if its range per charge were only 50 miles?

How AM compares to other industries Table 1 demonstrates how standards apply for the consumer to gauge product performance. This leaves us with an obvious question: would you buy a Tesla knowing that the range is 50 miles per charge?

Product	Cost	Blue sky Standard	Performance/Standard	Standard code
Tesla car	50,000 USD	2000 miles per charge	350 miles per charge	EPA
CNC machine	25,000 USD	±10 micrometers	±20 - ±40 micrometers	International Tolerance under ISO 286
SLM 3D printer	50,000 - 1,000,000 USD	±10 micrometers	No standards are published	International Tolerance under ISO 286

Table 1

We will introduce standards in AM concerning print accuracy and Microstructural Integrity (MI). In order for AM to transition into a manufacturing context, performance specifications need to be clearly defined. By the end of this study, you will have the necessary tools to evaluate the performance of your printer in comparison to subtractive manufacturing technologies such as CNC milling, as well as other 3D printers. The study is divided into six chapters.