America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, driven by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with ASTM International. The MOU agreement outlines a framework of cooperation between America Makes and ASTM for the development of ASTM standards in the area of additive manufacturing. The agreement was signed days prior to national Manufacturing Day (observed October 4th).
“The signing of the MOU agreement with ASTM days before commemorating national MFG Day marks a convergence of focused efforts to advance the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry,” said America Makes Deputy Director Rob Gorham. “With America Makes working in partnership with ASTM to support the development of ASTM standards for additive manufacturing and 3D printing, together we can leverage our combined technical expertise and research and development activities to ensure that the investments being made in these technologies are effective and reproducible. The impact of standards on the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry will prove invaluable, helping to increase the manufacturing sector’s domestic competitiveness in the global economy.”
ASTM International’s MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The program also facilitates the development of national standards that will aid each country’s health, safety, environmental, and economic conditions. These agreements help avoid duplication of effort where possible and mutually promote the standards development activities of ASTM International and the national standards bodies participating in the program. MOU’s are designed to encourage, increase, and facilitate the participation of technical experts from around the world in the ASTM standards development process and broaden the global acceptance and use of ASTM International standards.
Signed by ASTM International Vice President, Technical Committee Operations Katharine Morgan and Gene Berkebile, NCDMM Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the MOU states that standards for additive manufacturing will be developed by ASTM International Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies. America Makes will participate in the ASTM process, providing technical expertise to assist in standards development, as well as technical content to serve a foundation for ASTM standards covered by the MOU.
Organized in 2009, ASTM Committee F42 promotes knowledge, stimulation of research and implementation of technology through the development of standards for additive manufacturing technologies. There are five approved F42 standards in addition to 21 draft standards currently under development.
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