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Standard Sets Additive Terminology

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The additive manufacturing industry can now speak the same language, with the approval of a new standard by ASTM.

ASTM F2792, Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies, is the first standard approved by ASTM Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies, which was formed in 2009 in partnership with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Individuals and organizations have often used a wide mix of non-standard and poorly understood terms, which has led to confusing communication within the industry, says Terry Wohlers, chairman of Subcommittee F42.91 on Terminology.
 
"Terminology is used in everyday communication among individuals, in presentations, at industry events, in press releases, and in magazine and journal articles," says Wohlers. "It is important that this communication is consistent and accurate, and it is our hope that ASTM terms are used rather than the haphazard approach of the past."

Primary users of the standard will include additive manufacturing users and producers, educational and research organizations, government agencies, investors, consultants, analysts and journalists.

More terminology standards are in store, Wohlers says.  "We chose some of the most important terms for the first group but have many more to identify and define," he said.

The committee was formed at the request of SME's Rapid Technologies and Additive Manufacturing Steering Committee.

ASTM and SME signed a Memorandum of Understanding that established ASTM as the home for this new standards writing activity and facilitated the participation of SME's RTAM community in developing the standard.

Industry feedback and comments may be directed to Pat Picariello, director of developmental operations, ASTM International (610-832-9720 or ppicarie@astm.org). For more information, visit www.astm.org/COMMIT/F42.htm.