Standardization News

Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence Launches

On July 23, at Auburn University, ASTM International formally launched its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence aimed at accelerating R&D, standardization, and innovation in that field, also known as 3D printing.

Founding partners include Auburn University, NASA, manufacturing technology innovator
EWI, and the U.K.-based Manufacturing Technology Centre.

ASTM International President Katharine Morgan said, “The synergy among EWI, MTC, Auburn, and NASA will help fill the gaps in technical standards that this industry needs to drive innovation. As a result, we’ll empower industries that are eager to apply additive manufacturing to aerospace, auto, medical, and more.”

The events came on the heels of the AMCOE’s international launch on July 13 at the MTC where European industry and government officials gathered to celebrate this initiative.

Auburn University President Steven Leath said, “Auburn is committed to growing research, solving real-world problems, and establishing partnerships that support these transformative initiatives, such as our thriving additive manufacturing program. By investing in skilled researchers and first-rate facilities, we aim to drive additive technology forward and unleash its full potential. We look forward to continuing to work with our industry and government collaborators.”

Auburn University is in the final stage of renovations to the Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory, which will in part house additive manufacturing research funded through
the center.

In August, Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research announced that it was joining the AMCOE as the first “strategic” partner. NIAR is an industry-focused research institute, home to one of the world’s leading aerospace engineering programs. As such, NIAR plans to be engaged in the center’s R&D activities, education and workforce development efforts, and other functions and programs.

Participants signing the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence Statement on Cooperative Agreement (from left): Steven Leath, president, Auburn University; Katharine Morgan, president, ASTM International; Alex Kitt, product manager, EWI Buffalo Manufacturing Works; and Benjamin Dutton, technical specialist, Manufacturing Technology Centre.

President Morgan Keynotes Major Conference for Standards Professionals

On Aug. 7, Katharine Morgan, president of ASTM International, gave the keynote address at the 67th conference of SES — The Society for Standards Professionals, in Nashville, Tennessee. The entire speech, “From Transactional to Transformational,” can be watched at the ASTM International Facebook page.
In her speech, Morgan asked, “How do we build a strong, long-term foundation for the standardization community?” Her answer involved the community being outcomes-focused, partnership-oriented, and innovation-driven. (See more from her speech on p. 16.)

The following day, Maryann Gorman, editor in chief of ASTM’s Standardization News, moderated a panel on leveraging diversity to strengthen the standards. Participating on the panel, in addition to Gorman, were:

• Lydia Baugh, communications director, International Safety Equipment Association;
• Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger
• Angelo Lampousis, lecturer at the department of earth and atmospheric sciences at the City College of New York, part of the City University of New York;
• Mary McKiel, communications liaison for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board; and
• Pamela Shinkoda, manager, technical solutions and quality, CGC Inc.

Also at the SES conference, Jennifer Rodgers, director, ASTM technical committee operations, spoke about the opportunities and challenges of standards in emerging areas, focusing on smart textiles, during a session on standards in unique subject areas.

From left: Edward Mikoski Jr., SES president; Katharine Morgan, ASTM International president; and Kerri Haresign, conference program committee chair.

New SEI Certifications

The Safety Equipment Institute, an ASTM International affiliate, has announced that the first certifications for chest protectors have been issued that meet new criteria from the National Operating Committee for Sports and Athletic Equipment. According to NOCSAE, its new standard aims to reduce the likelihood of death from commotio cordis, a disruption of heart rhythm that happens when a player is struck.

The standard supports a test method that provides reliable and repeatable measurements for the evaluation of various types of chest protectors. It is called NOCSAE Standard Test Method and performance Specification Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Chest Protectors for Commotio Cordis, NOCSAE DOC (ND) 200.

In addition to initial compliance testing of all chest protector models, manufacturers who participate in the SEI certification program must pass a rigorous quality assurance audit of their facility and operate in accordance with SEI quality assurance requirements. Also, all products carrying the SEI and NOCSAE certification label are required to be recertified annually.

In other news, the U.S. National Institute of Justice recently issued a Federal Register notice that provides guidance to manufacturers of restraints and handcuffs on how to certify their products to meet a new technical standard (NIJ 1001.00) by Dec. 31, 2018. According to stakeholders, the new standard is more robust and allows for the introduction of new technologies and innovations.

NIJ is no longer managing the certification of these products, and criminal justice purchasing agencies will not have access to a key resource (Consumer Products List) for restraints certified to the old standard (NIJ 0307.01) after this date.

SEI now provides the only certification program that has been recognized by NIJ for this new standard. When available, restraints certified by SEI will be identified on the SEI Certified Product List at www.SEInet.org.

ASTM International staff visited the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in late July. From left are: Jeff Grove, ASTM vice president, global policy and communications; Howard Harary, director of the engineering lab, NIST; Katharine Morgan, ASTM president; Walter Copan, director, NIST; and Gordon Gillerman, director of the standards coordination office, NIST.

At the June general assembly of the African Organization for Standardization, James Olshefsky (left), ASTM director of external relations, presented Thabisa Mbungwana, South African Bureau of Standards, with a certificate celebrating 10 years of the memorandum of understanding with the Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Standardization (SADCSTAN). Mbungwana is SADCSTAN chair.

At the African Organization for Standardization general assembly, James Olshefsky (left), ASTM director of external relations, presented Ben Manyindo, Ph.D., executive director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, with a certificate celebrating 15 years of the memorandum of understanding partnership between the two groups.

ASTM International staff discussed international standards collaboration with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) staff in Geneva, Switzerland (from left): Henry Cuschieri, ISO technical group manager; Daniel Smith, vice president, ASTM technical committee operations; Sara Gobbi, ASTM director of EU affairs; Sergio Mujica, secretary general, ISO; Katharine Morgan, president, ASTM International; Nicolas Fleury, deputy secretary general, ISO; and Jeff Grove, vice president, global policy and communications, ASTM International.

Delegations from the Standardization Administration of China and the China Productivity Center for Machinery visited ASTM International’s Washington, D.C., office in August. The meeting included an overview of ASTM International, Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, and the committee on additive manufacturing technologies (F42).