Welding Digest

As the additive manufacturing (AM) industry matures, advancements in AM processes and the development of new materials make emerging standardization needs increasingly relevant.  

While many standards exist for traditional welding processes, AM’s progress has outpaced the development of similar standards for the AM industry. 

Current AM metal processes are covered under some standards. Most of these standards include process, machine, and operator coverage, but AM is more than that. What if we are interested in taking advantage of the freedom of design? With the advancements we’ve seen in machine design, how can we address the developments of multiprocess-head, metal AM machines or the mixing of AM technologies to produce parts? Even some of the highly regarded benefits of AM technology, such as lattice-based structures and topology-optimized structures, are debated topics when it comes to inclusion in standards. How can they even be standardized? Another major challenge is the confidentiality and proprietary nature of many AM processes. Manufacturers often guard their specific AM techniques and process parameters as trade secrets. This makes it difficult for standardization bodies to develop universal standards that account for these variations. 

Manufacturers are trying to create parts that are lighter, stronger, and more complex than ever before. Standards-developing bodies like AWS must evolve to keep pace with advancements and industry demands. Due to the gap between standards and advancing technologies, industries that demand high-quality parts because of the criticality of their applications may find AM not mature enough to justify investing time and money in part production. 

The aforementioned gap arises from the agile nature of AM technology and the unknowns that still exist in the industry. While recent advancements are incredibly critical, bringing these innovations under standardized practices is challenging. Additionally, progress can be confidential or costly, further complicating efforts. Closing the gap requires solid collaboration between industry stakeholders, academia, and standardization bodies. One recent development addressing this is the launch of the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative, a partnership between America Makes and the American National Standards Institute that created the Standardization Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, which highlights over 140 gaps between existing standards and the needs of the AM industry across various materials and processes. This road map is crucial for guiding the future of standardization in metal AM. 

AWS has established its authority in welding industry standardization. With over a century of legacy knowledge and experience in developing welding codes, and with access to many highly skilled volunteers and engineering staff, AWS could lead in these emerging areas. The Society already has a head start in this arena with AWS D20.1, Specification for Fabrication of Metal Components Using Additive Manufacturing, being the first American National Standard published. In addition, the D20B Subcommittee on Additive Manufacturing Using Wire is working on a new document, AWS D20.2, Specification for Additive Manufacturing of Metal Components Using Wire Directed Energy Deposition. Leveraging its century of expertise, AWS can collaborate with organizations like ASTM, SAE, and ASME to develop standards that address the unique challenges of metal AM. While AM technology is evolving rapidly, standards must evolve in parallel to ensure that the quality, safety, and reliability of AM-produced parts are not compromised. The opportunity is clear: By driving standardization efforts, AWS and other organizations can help unlock the full potential of metal AM, enabling broader adoption across critical industries such as aerospace and defense. 

While a standardization gap remains a challenge, AWS plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of metal AM, ensuring that the technology not only advances but also meets the rigorous demands of critical applications. 

This article was written by Farhad Ghadamli (manufacturing and process development engineer, TE Connectivity) for the American Welding Society.