Standardization News

Safety Equipment Institute to Manage RIMA International Verification Program 

The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), an affiliate of ASTM International, announced plans to manage the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International’s (RIMA International) Voluntary Product Verification Program. 

The board of directors for RIMA International, the association representing manufacturers and suppliers for the reflective insulation, radiant barrier, and interior radiation control (IRCC) industries, approved management of the program by SEI. The RIMA-I verification program currently includes six manufacturers and 19 products although the program is open to interested parties. A requirement of the verification program is that all participants are members of RIMA International. The program is closely related to the work of ASTM’s thermal insulation committee (C16). 

Mary Edmondson, executive director of RIMA-I, notes that “the RIMA-I board and membership are excited about this new collaboration with SEI and ASTM International and look forward to the positive impact these changes will have on the reflective products industry.”

Michael Boulding, chair of the RIMA-I verification committee, added, “The committee anticipates significant growth and recognition in the program through this affiliation, and having such a recognized group managing the project will bring increased validity to the current program.”

The verification program is similar to SEI certification programs with slight differences. Verification programs include testing with an approved testing lab but do not feature an audit or an inspection. SEI’s verification program will include an ASTM verification mark for use, however, the RIMA-I program will feature a RIMA-specific mark created for this program.

“SEI is thrilled to work with RIMA International as the first ASTM verification program member,” says Tricia Hock, SEI certification operations director. “The ASTM verification program is a great opportunity for industries to confirm product compliance and build consumer confidence.” 

ASTM International and RTCA Collaborate on Detect and Avoid Capability for Drones

RTCA and ASTM International have announced a collaboration that allows for the joint development of consensus standards for smaller unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), also known as drones.

The collaboration would focus on an aviation system designed to provide detect and avoid (DAA) capability for drones operating beyond visual line of sight. Operational performance requirements and test procedures are being developed jointly for the new system, which is known as ACAS sXu.

According to Walter Bender, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, ACAS sXu requirements will be documented in a minimum operational performance standard that will be developed by the RTCA special committee on traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (RTCA SC-147). ACAS sXu is also referenced in ASTM International’s specification for detect and avoid (DAA) system performance requirements (F3442), which is managed by ASTM’s unmanned aircraft systems committee (F38). 

Andy Thurling, chief technology officer of NUAIR and leader of the ASTM task group on DAA, notes that F3442 is currently being revised. However, the ACAS sXu will maintain alignment with ASTM’s DAA efforts, and the system will again be cited as a possible reference in future F3442 revisions. 

ASTM International’s F38 committee includes more than 500 members from 25 different countries. The committee oversees 25 standards covering airworthiness, flight operations, personnel training, qualification, and certification for drones.

RTCA SC-147 was established in 1980 and was the original developer of the TCAS and TCAS II performance standards. Since that time, they have updated those standards to the Aircraft Collision Avoidance System (ACAS). ACAS has multiple variants, including ACAS Xo (special operations), ACAS Xa (active surveillance), and the soon-to-be-published ACAS Xu (unmanned aircraft systems). 

This cooperative effort is part of ASTM and RTCA’s memorandum of understanding, signed last year, to promote cooperation in the development of standards in specific areas of interest to avoid duplication and leverage expertise between both organizations.

RTCA is a private, not-for-profit association founded in 1935 as the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics and now referred to simply as RTCA. RTCA works on developing consensus among diverse interests on critical aviation modernization issues.

ASTM International Signs Letter of Cooperation with Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association 

Representatives from ASTM International and the Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA) recently signed a letter of cooperation (LoC). The LoC will lead to a closer working relationship between ASTM and IRMRA.

The LoC was signed by Katharine Morgan, president, ASTM International, and Kasilingam Rajkumar, Ph.D., director, IRMRA.

The partnership will promote enhanced support for rubber and rubber-related technology in activities pertaining to ASTM’s rubber and rubber-like materials committee (D11). 

Additionally, the LoC includes the following goals:

• Promote communication between ASTM and IRMRA;
• Promote knowledge of ASTM standards and the benefits of ASTM membership to IRMRA administrators, researchers, engineers, technicians, and other stakeholders;
• Increase IRMRA expert input into the development of ASTM standards to reflect appropriate technology; and
• Share information about ASTM procedures, tools, standards, and services, to increase IRMRA’s reference to and application of D11 committee standards and services related to rubber and rubber-like materials. 

Global Additive Manufacturing Experts and Leaders Attend Conference 

Hundreds of industry leaders and experts from around the world virtually attended the International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (ICAM 2020). Held Nov. 16–20, 2020, the conference was sponsored by the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and a dozen ASTM technical committees.

Nearly 600 attendees from more than 30 countries took part in ICAM 2020, making it the largest virtual scientific conference for the organization. 

ICAM 2020 is ASTM International’s fifth flagship event related to standardization, qualification, and certification, with an emphasis on industry-specific requirements addressing the entire additive manufacturing (AM) process chain. Conversations and presentations shed light on the latest developments in the field, specifically the transition from research to application and standardization needs.

The conference included more than 300 presentations and 10 panel sessions that covered AM’s role in aviation and spaceflight, defense, medical applications, transportation, oil and gas, energy, construction, and other major industries. 

“This year’s record-breaking participation shows the widespread growth of the additive manufacturing industry,” said Mohsen Seifi, Ph.D., ASTM director of global additive manufacturing programs and conference co-chair. “With close to 50% industry participation, this conference served as the perfect event for AM experts worldwide to further advance the field.” 

In addition to programming, several prestigious awards were presented at the conference. Thomas Niendorf, Prof. Dr.-Ing., of the University of Kassel, was presented the Award of Excellence in Research; Douglas Wells of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, was presented the Award of Excellence in Education; and Benjamin Dutton, Ph.D., of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, was presented the Award of Excellence
in Standardization. 

“We were thrilled to recognize the work of these professionals in advancing the additive manufacturing industry,” said symposium co-chair Nima Shamsaei, Ph.D., director of Auburn University’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence, one of the founding partners of the AM CoE. “From seasoned professionals to students, their commitment to expanding the reach of additive manufacturing will ensure the industry continues to grow.” 

The Young Professionals Award was also presented to 10 awardees, including: Ole Geisen, Ph.D. (Siemens Energy); Joy Gockel, Ph.D. (Wright State University); Steven Hall, Eng.D. (Manufacturing Technology Centre); Nik Hrabe, Ph.D. (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology); Jonathan Pegues, Ph.D. (Sandia National Laboratories); Jacob Rindler (The Ohio State University); Alireza Sarraf, Ph.D. (Lam Research); Christian Seidel, Dr.Ing. (Munich University of Applied Sciences/Fraunhofer IGCV); Shuai Shao, Ph.D. (Auburn University); and Ashley Spear, Ph.D. (University of Utah).

Finally, from 55 student presentations, four students were recognized with awards: P.D. Nezhadfar (Auburn University), Tatiana Mishurova (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung), Terrance Moran (Cornell University), and Lukas Haferkamp (inspire AG/ETH Zürich).

During the awards ceremony, the co-chairs also announced that ICAM 2021 will be held Nov. 1–5.

Memorandum of Understanding Signed with ASD-STAN 

Representatives from European standards organization ASD-STAN recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ASTM International. The MoU will support a closer working relationship between ASTM and ASD-STAN on direct remote identification (also known as remote ID) for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, also known as drones). 

The MoU was signed by Jeff Grove, ASTM International vice president of global policy, cooperation, and communications, and Pari Aliyeva, ASD-STAN director.

“We are excited to work closely with ASD-STAN to advance standards efforts in Europe on remote ID for drones,” says Grove. “This agreement will allow for a robust partnership with hundreds of technical experts around the world and promotes closer technical alignment in standards that support regulations.”

The MoU promotes standards development cooperation and information exchange between the ASTM unmanned aircraft systems committee (F38) and ASD-STAN’s UAS working group (ASD-STAN D05/WG08).

ASD-STAN also announced the release of a new standard on direct remote identification (ASD-STAN prEN 4709-002) for public enquiry that, once published, will become a harmonized European Norm. The European standard incorporates ASTM International’s remote ID standard specification requirements for drone identification and tracking (F3411). Users from Europe and around the world can rely on compatible technical solutions. 

“This work was achieved in close cooperation with ASTM’s unmanned aircraft systems committee members by using the same technical references, thus preventing divergence of technical specifications,” notes Christophe Mazel, convener of the ASD-STAN UAS working group. “We believe the collaborative approach with ASTM will largely benefit all drone manufacturers. I sincerely thank the F38 team for supporting the experts developing the European direct remote identification standard over the last few months.”  

ASTM’s unmanned aircraft systems committee (F38) boasts more than 500 members from 25 different countries; the committee oversees 25 standards covering airworthiness, flight operations, personnel training, qualification, and certification for drones.  

ASD-STAN’s UAS working group (ASD-STAN D05/WG08) represents European interests for the standardization activities in the field of unmanned aircraft systems, including, but not limited to, classification, design, manufacture, operation (including maintenance), and safety management of UAS operations. Currently, the UAS working group is focusing on the Open Category of UAS as defined by EASA Opinion 01/2018.

ASTM International Exo Technology Center of Excellence Hosts Virtual Panel Discussion on PPE 

The ASTM International Exo Technology Center of Excellence (ET CoE) hosted a virtual panel discussion on Exoskeletons: Considerations When Deciding to Use Them as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), on Nov. 19, 2020. 

The program included remarks from William Billotte, Ph.D., ASTM International’s director of global exo technology programs; Pat Picariello, ASTM director of developmental operations; and Nora Nimmerichter, staff manager for the ASTM exoskeletons and exosuits committee (F48).

The panel featured Donald R. Peterson, Ph.D. (Northern Illinois University); Christopher R. Reid, Ph.D. (Boeing Environment, Health and Safety); Marisol Barrero (Toyota North America); Gary B. Orr (OSHA); Delia E. Treaster, Ph.D. (Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation); and Sascha Wischniewski, Ph.D. (German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).

“This panel discussion allows exo technology experts from around the world the opportunity to discuss the interactions between exoskeletons and PPE,” said Billotte prior to the event. “It also provides a forum for highlighting the important developments of the ASTM exoskeletons and exosuits committee and the ET CoE.”

The ASTM International ET CoE was formed in 2019 to pursue safe and reliable exo technologies for all of humanity. The center brings together a diverse group of users, suppliers, researchers, and stakeholders across academia, government, healthcare, and other industries, and builds on the growth of ASTM’s exoskeletons and exosuits committee.  

ASTM International and Auburn University Receive America Makes Award to Develop AM Cybersecurity Training 

ASTM International and Auburn University were awarded more than $260,000 in funding from America Makes for the development of additive manufacturing (AM) cybersecurity training.

“As additive manufacturing technologies are being broadly adopted, the need to counter cyber threats is becoming more prevalent,” said Paul Bates, ASTM AM lead project engineer and co-principal investigator of the effort. “This award will help ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) offer training programs to train the workforce and prepare it to combat cybersecurity threats.” 

ASTM International is working closely with Auburn University and their additive manufacturing and cybersecurity experts to create a comprehensive training program. Auburn University, a founding partner of the AM CoE, is the home to the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), Auburn Cyber Research Center (ACRC), and McCrary Institute.

“Security is a critical gap for digital manufacturing-related technologies,” said Mark Yampolskiy, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science and software engineering at Auburn University, and principal investigator of the effort. “This contribution ensures the creation of new curricula and programs to train the AM industry in the subject and help ensure the integrity and security of the entire value chain.”  

The other co-principal investigators on this project are Mohsen Seifi, Ph.D., director of global additive manufacturing programs at ASTM International, and Nima Shamsaei, Ph.D., director of Auburn’s NCAME. The award was presented as part of $2.23 million in funding to help accelerate the adoption of AM and address the needs of the supply chain. It was awarded by America Makes for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Manufacturing and Industrial Base Technology Division, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering OUSD (R&E). ■