Standards partnership on additive manufacturing

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has been chosen by leading global standards organisation ASTM International, based in the U.S., to be the first non-U.S. founding partner of ASTM International’s Center of Excellence in Manufacturing.

The Center aims to bridge standards development with R&D, filling industry gaps in additive manufacturing. MTC’s participation will involve a funded project to advance additive manufacturing standards and innovation in Europe and beyond.

The MTC is supported by a consortium of leading European research organisations. The MTC and the Center’s other partners – Auburn University, NASA, and EWI – will work towards establishing international standards that support innovation in additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is employed across many manufacturing sectors in a variety of materials, producing everything from simple tools to major parts for aero engines. The MTC houses the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), bringing together the most comprehensive combination of equipment and capability in the UK. It is also home to the European Space Agency's Additive Manufacturing Benchmarking Centre.

Dr. Mohsen Seifi, ASTM International’s director of global additive manufacturing programmes said the MTC was one of the world's most exciting new leaders in additive manufacturing.

"The MTC's proposal was one of the highest ranked among dozens of proposals submitted. Clearly the MTC will play a key role in achieving the vision of filling industry gaps in standardisation and driving innovation on a global scale," he said.

MTC technical director, Professor Ken Young said: "We are excited to join this vitally important effort to build a strong technical foundation for the future of additive manufacturing."

ASTM International announced the collaboration with the MTC at the first meeting of the Center of Excellence’s research and development team at Auburn University in Alabama which was also attended by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the National Institute for Standards and Technology and others.