Key researchers create roadmap for 3-D printing standards at Auburn conference
Published: May 31, 2018 12:00 AM
By Teri Greene
Partnering with Auburn University, NASA, applied technology developer EWI and U.K.-based Manufacturing Technology Centre, the new ASTM center aims to create a global hub to advance technical standards, research and development efforts and education across this rapidly growing industry. With funding and other support from ASTM International, the effort involves a multidisciplinary collaboration among industry, government, academia and nonprofit organizations
At the meeting, industry leaders and representatives from major tech organizations drew on their expertise to devise a plan for consistency in research and development in the field moving forward, said ASTM Director for Global Additive Manufacturing Programs Mohsen Seifi.
“Our conversations at Auburn were very productive in helping us plan priorities with respect to future R&D projects that could be funded by ASTM International, industry consortia, and external sources,” Seifi said. “We look forward to continuing the dialogue with all of the ASTM International partners to create an internal R&D roadmap for short- and long-term efforts.”
Nima Shamsaei, director of the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence at Auburn, said the event created much-needed momentum.
“This meeting served to expedite the process of conducting groundbreaking research to aggressively close the standards gap in additive manufacturing,” Shamsaei said. “We were thrilled to have internationally known additive manufacturing experts on our campus to assist with developing the R&D roadmap for the ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.”
EWI Senior Technology Advisor Frank Medina echoed that message.
"This is a great team of partners," Medina said. "We look forward to working together to create universally accepted standards that will enable wider adoption of AM throughout industry."
Additive technology reduces waste in manufacturing by creating highly complex shapes to produce parts that are also lighter than traditional components.
Shamsaei said 3-D printing technology is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, giving engineers new methods to create custom parts for manufacturers in the aerospace, biomedical and automobile industries.
The ASTM Center of Excellence also aims to educate and develop the workforce to use this technology to its full potential, Shamsaei says.
“As a primary mechanism for standards-related research, the ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence seeks to close knowledge gaps and encourage innovation of both means and minds,” he said.
Meeting attendees included Michael Gorelik of the FAA; Richard Russell, John Vickers and Doug Wells of NASA; Matthew Di Prima of the FDA; Kevin Jurrens of NIST; Matthew Donovan of Oerlikon and ASTM International; David Wimpenny and Ben Dutton of MTC; Seifi of ASTM international; Medina and Alex Kitt of EWI and Shamsaei, Mike Ogles and Steve Taylor of the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
Media Contact: , tag0036@auburn.edu, 334-844-3591
A group of top additive manufacturing researchers gathered in Auburn to discuss the field's standardization and education methods.
