ASTM International launches personnel certificate program in AM
ASTM International is an international standards organization that develops and voluntarily publishes consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. The organization’s technical committees have been writing standards related to additive manufacturing for some time now. Moreover, last July ASTM International launched its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence with Auburn University, NASA, manufacturing technology innovator EWI, and the UK-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The aim of this center is to lead the way through innovation with standards, keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements in additive manufacturing.
It’s true that the rapid pace at which additive manufacturing is advancing demands standards which are robust, application-specific, and detailed. ASTM International believes that these technical standards will provide the right foundation for innovation and growth, bringing together hundreds of experts in 3D printing technologies to collaborate on this documentation. ASTM International has attracted partnerships in AM from other standards groups as well as innovation hubs, industry associations, and more.
The rapid pace at which additive manufacturing is advancing demands standards which are robust, application-specific, and detailed.
More recently, the organization conducted an extensive landscape analysis to understand the existing gaps in additive manufacturing education and workforce development. Its mission was to clearly identify the gaps in order to offer a comprehensive course in additive manufacturing. More precisely, the course will cover all basic concepts of the AM process chain while also equipping attendees with core technical knowledge related to best practices, including standardized methodologies. Moreover, it will be taught by globally-recognized experts from industry, regulatory agencies, and academia.
“With more and more industry sectors adopting additive manufacturing technologies, there is a growing demand for an educated workforce to support the expanding field,” explains Dr. Nima Shamsaei, director of the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) at Auburn University. “This is a groundbreaking first step in meeting that need. To fill the AM knowledge gap, we need world-class training from industry leaders who can equip the future workforce with highly valued technical knowledge.”
Credits: PrintLab
We’ve definitely noticed the growing demand from those in the industry for educational courses on 3D printing. Of course, this need has been met by many companies in the market. For example PrintLab in the UK aims to train teachers to give students basic knowledge in 3D printing from a young age. In the education sector, more and more universities are developing dedicated courses in additive manufacturing, from design to management. When we talked with Professor John Hart, Director of MIT’s Center for Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies, he told us: “Knowledge is one of the greatest barriers to AM adoption at scale today. There are many programs available – both online and in-person – that teach some aspect of AM. Certainly, the market of AM education programs is growing, and will continue to grow.”
You can find more information on ASTM International HERE.
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