Standardization News

ASTM Supports Seven New Additive Manufacturing Projects

ASTM International announced a new slate of funded Research to Standards (R2S) projects that support ASTM’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and its mission to advance the acceleration of AM standardization and industrial adoption.

Two project calls were completed in 2021, the Request for Ideas (RFI) and the Call for Projects (CFP). These investments mark ASTM’s fourth year of funded AM research projects and include additional in-kind contributions.

“We are excited to launch these efforts to enhance the AM industry’s ability to develop much needed consensus-based standards,” said Dr. Mohsen Seifi, ASTM’s director of global additive manufacturing programs. “We have received overwhelming responses from the ASTM community to both of the project calls, covering a wide range of impactful ideas to address critical needs of the industry.”

Projects submitted for both the RFI and CFP were reviewed and approved by members of the executive subcommittee within ASTM’s additive manufacturing technologies committee (F42).

In response to the RFI, over 90 ideas for projects were submitted by ASTM members for consideration and the following three high-impact ideas were selected:

• Auburn University will develop a standardized practice for measuring AM part density, specifically focused on characteristic defects of AM processes.
• The UK-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) will develop classification and measurement methodologies for powder cleanliness assessments.
• Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and AON3D, will develop a test method for interlayer shear properties in parts fabricated with materials extrusion. 

The CFP was introduced to allow non-AM CoE partners to propose and receive support for projects. The following four projects were selected:

• Colorado School of Mines will collect data to support the development of a standard method measuring the load-bearing, cross-sectional area for mechanical testing of coupons with as-built AM surfaces.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT (Germany) will develop a guideline for build job continuation after process interruptions.
• The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will generate data on the effect of moisture on the AM process and properties of printed parts to develop a methodology to evaluate critical moisture levels.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham will focus on developing a test method to measure the tensile properties filaments used in material extrusion.
• Each of these projects will address one or more standardization gaps listed in the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC) roadmap published by ANSI and America Makes.

VISIT THE AMCOE.

Formed in 2018, the AM CoE is a collaborative partnership among ASTM International and organizations from industry, government, and academia, that conduct strategic R&D to advance standards across all aspects of AM technologies. The center aims to accelerate the development and adoption of robust, game-changing technologies by supporting standardization, developing training and certification programs, and providing market intelligence, business strategy and advisory services via Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International.

ASTM Member Speaks from International Space Station

Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, chair of ASTM International’s commercial spaceflight committee (F47), spoke from the International Space Station on April 14. Lopez-Alegria traveled to the ISS on the historic SpaceX Falcon 9 Axiom Space Mission 1. WATCH THE VIDEO.

ASTM and Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization Sign Memorandum of Understanding

On April 18, ASTM International President Kathie Morgan signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing Stuart V. Radcliffe signed a Business Annex, between ASTM and Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO). The signing was held to update original agreements signed in 2005. As part of expanding work in the region, ASTM has 12 MoU partners in the Middle East and 2 Regional MoU partners.

“We are extremely excited that with the signing and implementation of this revised MoU agreement and commercial agreement, JSMO will have increased opportunities to work with ASTM,” said Morgan. “We will be even better able to support innovation, competitiveness, sustainability, and climate resilience through standards that reflect technical quality, market relevance, and suitability to the task at hand.”

ASTM Supports World Central Kitchen

ASTM International has made a $25,000 donation to World Central Kitchen (WCK) in support of their efforts to feed refugees of the Ukrainian crisis. 

Founded in 2010 by chef José Andrés, the goal of WCK is to provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions. 

Donate to World Central Kitchen.

Global Personal Protective Equipment Collaboration Forum Holds Key Event

Members of ASTM International’s Global Collaboration Forum for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) held a webinar on March 7 to address the ongoing challenges facing PPE through the development of standards, training, and other related programs. 

Participants from 15 countries, including representatives from standards development organizations (SDOs), testing laboratories, academia, research organizations, industry, government, and more, attended the session. 

Topics included:

• introductory remarks from ASTM International President Katharine Morgan,
• findings from a recent PPE laboratory comparison study, 
• a discussion on the product differences between medical face masks and barrier face coverings, and
• a discussion on the potential need for new standards in this area.
• ASTM launched the forum in 2021 to address challenges facing PPE and accelerating standards development. At its core, the forum is a collaborative effort to identify and fill critical needs. 

Visit the collaboration forum.

SEI and NIHC Enter MOU to offer the ASTM HEMPQ + NIHC Certification Program for Test Laboratories

The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), an affiliate of ASTM International, and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a joint certification program for hemp testing laboratories. This initiative will lead to industry harmonization and embed confidence in hemp brands promoting consumer health and safety.

“We’re excited for this program that we believe will strengthen consumer confidence and be a value-add for hemp producers. Partnering with SEI and ASTM, who have a rich history in certification and standardization, should make for an excellent partnership.” said Patrick Atagi, president and
CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) of America.

“ASTM international is the world leader in developing cannabis standards and we are proud to partner with NIHC to administer this program to fill a marketplace need,” said Tricia Hock, director of Certification Operations with SEI. “This effort coincides with the work of ASTM International’s cannabis committee, which includes over 1000 members from 32 different countries. We believe delivering a joint certification program for hemp testing laboratories is a critical first step in harmonizing the hemp industry.”

The certification program, known as the CANNQ/HEMPQ Certification Program, is the first independent certification of its kind in the hemp and cannabis industry. The testing laboratory certification program is part of a broader collaborative initiative between SEI and the NIHC. 

ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.

LEARN MORE about ASTM International’s efforts in the field of cannabis.

James Olshefsky, director, external relations, ASTM International (front row, center),  visited Ghana in March as ASTM and the American Petroleum Institute worked on a project aimed at harmonizing petroleum stanards in the West African region. Highlights of the trip included visits to the Ghana Standards Authority – an ASTM Memorandum of Understanding partner – and Verity Labs Limited, where this photo was taken.