A new ASTM International (www.astm.org) standard is being drawn up to support the growing use of metals in additive manufacturing.

Specifically, the standardised practice (soon to be published as F3303) outlines ways to qualify machines and processes that help build parts using laser or electron-beam powder-bed fusion, according to ASTM member Amir Farzadfar, who is materials and process engineer for additive manufacturing at Corning Inc.

The standard also outlines the related steps needed to configure and control digital data.

By ensuring that additive-manufacturing steps are fixed and repeatable, customers can be more assured of part quality.

The standard was developed by ASTM International’s sub-committee on materials and processes, which is part of the larger committee on additive-manufacturing technologies.

Mr Farzadfar said: “An additional standard is under way to support part qualification, quality assurance and post-processing of powder-bed fusion parts.”

ASTM International recently announced new partners — EWI, Auburn University and NASA — for an Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, which will further support standards development and related efforts in this area.