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01-13-2009: ASTM F42 Committee on Additive Manufacturing was established
Part of ASTM International, it created a range of standards for various aspects of 3D printing and facilitating its implementation across industries
On January 13, 2009, more than 70 representatives from the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Africa convened in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA, to form the ASTM Committee on Standards for 3D Printing Technology. The goal of the event was to develop unified guidelines for the additive manufacturing industry, as the lack of consistent standards was a significant barrier to its acceptance in industrial environments. The ASTM F42 Committee on Additive Manufacturing Technologies focused on developing standards for various aspects of 3D printing, including terminology, processes, materials, and safety.
ASTM International, founded in 1898, is responsible for developing over 12,000 standards used in 115 countries. Its process is based on a consensus model in which anyone with an interest can participate. During the meeting in Pennsylvania, five subcommittees were established, dedicated to terminology, testing, processes, materials, and design, including file formats. Their objective was to create comparative methods for additive systems and materials to improve the quality, consistency, and repeatability of processes in the AM sector.
A pivotal role in this initiative was played by Wohlers Associates, a firm founded by Terry Wohlers, one of the most prominent analysts in the additive manufacturing market. For years, Wohlers Associates had published reports on the development of 3D printing that served as key references for the industry.
The decision to establish the ASTM Committee had a profound impact on the 3D printing industry, accelerating its professionalization and fostering greater trust in the technology within industrial environments. In subsequent years, ASTM developed numerous standards that enhanced the quality and predictability of manufacturing processes in 3D printing.
In 2012, ASTM released the ASTM F2792 standard, which defined terminology related to additive manufacturing technologies, helping to standardize the language used across the industry. In the following years, the organization developed standards addressing the properties of materials used in 3D printing, testing procedures, and design guidelines. By collaborating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ASTM contributed to the creation of joint standards such as ISO/ASTM 52900, which cover general principles and definitions associated with additive manufacturing technologies.
In 2016, ASTM partnered with the 3MF Consortium, an organization promoting a new file format for 3D printing, with the aim of harmonizing standards and development roadmaps for additive manufacturing technologies.
Source: www.wohlersassociates.com