Page 213 - Proceedings of the 2017 ITU Kaleidoscope

published a standardization roadmap for AM that is meant to help
setting priorities and focus resources [27]. A standardization Table 1. Milestone events and activities in AM standardization
roadmap for AM has also been developed in 2015 by the Year Event/Activity
European research project “Support Action for Standardization in 1997 NIST industry workshop "Measurement and standards
Additive Manufacturing (SASAM)” funded by the European issues in rapid prototyping'' to identify standards needs
Commission within its Framework Programme 7 (2007-2013). 2003 VDI TC „Rapid Prototyping“ founded (later renamed
Based on views collected from mainly European stakeholders, the into FA 105 Additive Manufacturing)
roadmap identified existing standards, gaps and challenges, and 2009 SME and ASTM begin cooperation in standardization
indicated timing and topics for AM standardization. SASAM also 2009 ASTM F42 AM Technologies founded
emphasized the need to have one global set of standards and to 2010 DIN NA 145-04-01 AA FB Section AM founded
have ISO, ASTM and the newly established European committee 2011 ISO TC 261 AM founded
CEN/TC 438 jointly work together in standards development [9]. 2011 cooperation agreement between ASTM and ISO
The CEN/TC 438 has no intention for any own standardization 2012 EC SASAM project initiated
work above that of ASTM and ISO, but rather sees its function in 2013 ASTM and ISO intensify collaboration with the Joint
adopting their standards in Europe, following the Vienna Plan for AM Standards Development
Agreement, and strengthening the link between European research 2015 CEN TC 438 AM founded
programs and standardization [25, 37]. By funding AM projects
the EU as well as countries like Germany (a major player in this 2015 SASAM Standardization Roadmap
industry) seek to support a technology that is supposed to re-shore 2015 3MF consortium founded (3MF file format)
production from lower wage regions back to Europe in order to 2016 America Makes & ANSI Additive Manufacturing
spur on innovation and create sustainable growth [6]. Standardization Collaborative (AMSC) founded
Indeed, the formal standards organizations started to follow a 2016 AM Standards Structure released by ASTM and ISO
coordinated, international and strategic approach: ASTM and ISO, 2017 AMSC standardization roadmap for AM published
that had just established a TC for AM, concluded a Partner
Standards Development Organization (PSDO) cooperation 4.3. Quantitative analysis
agreement in 2011 governing the standardization activities of both
TCs [28]. They successively implemented instruments such as a
Joint Plan for Additive Manufacturing Standards Development In an extensive search through websites, databases and
(2013) and an AM standards structure that shall help identify publications a total number of 40 dedicated AM standards has
gaps, develop modularized standards, improve the usability and been identified that have been published by SDOs worldwide (as
acceptance of the standards, and guide the work of the experts and of March 2017). This number includes revisions and standards
SDOs (2016) in order to jointly align roadmaps and efficiently that have been withdrawn later. The organizations comprise the
elaborate one set of standards, thus avoiding double work [38, SDOs discussed above (ASTM, ISO, VDI) plus IPC, AWI,
39]. AFNOR and AENOR. The identified standards have been
Governments’ initiatives and actions not only have influence on categorized with respect to the developing organization, year of
standardization through funding and support of R&D programs, publication, material used, and subject matter. The latter was
but also through their regulatory requirements which need to be based on the ASTM F42 committee categories materials and
met by manufacturers. The pressure to achieve conformity spurs processes, test methods, design, and terminology.
the need for dedicated standards that meet the specific features of Fig. 2 displays the development of those standards over time. It
AM. Furthermore, the state is also a user of the technology e.g. shows well that standardization slowly started in 2009 with the
especially in defense and aerospace applications, thereby having first standard published by VDI. 2013 and 2014 saw a peak in the
an own interest in the availability of standards. publication of standards with the newly founded ASTM and ISO
As more and more research activities were conducted and TCs having finished first projects. At this time there was also a
governments and companies invest in R&D, the number of patents new peak in the number of issued patents and published patent
grows rapidly since the turn of the millennium. Especially the applications [40], following the expiration of key patents and the
pioneering companies – market leaders today – such as Stratasys growing commercial and public interest in the technology. This
or 3D Systems are the main patent holders, driving innovation that continuing trend of intensified research activities and recognition
led to new and advanced processes and applications [40]. in industry is also fueling the demand for standards and activities
Improved technology and decreasing costs have spurred adoption in standardization.
– and the need for standards necessary to apply the technology Corresponding to the model of Blind and Gauch (2009), which
with confidence and ensure quality and reliability of processes and describes the sequence of standards development, Fig. 3 shows
manufactured parts. The ongoing digitalization of production that the first published standards were terminology standards (VDI
(Industrial Internet of Things) further drives the recognition of 3404:2009 and ASTM F2797:2012, revised and adopted as
AM technologies which, however, requires standardized interfaces
for data transfer and integration. Home fabrication, where
different machines and technologies are used compared to 12
industrial applications, in turn requires dedicated standards for 9 2
this domain, especially e.g. regarding safety standards. Hazards 2
connected with the materials, machines and processes used, need 6 3 8 1
to be addressed in all domains, requiring new safety and testing 3 1 2 1
1
standards that meet the specific features of AM. 1 1 1 1 2
1
0 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1
Table 1 summarizes milestone events and activities in AM 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
standardization. The following section gives an overview on the VDI ASTM AFNOR AENOR
types of standards developed and the drivers behind. IPC ISO/ASTM ISO ISO/AWI
Fig. 2. Development of AM standards by year and organization

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