ASTM to help set new regulatory guidelines
ASTM International has secured funding from the Officer of the Under Secretary of Defence (OSD) for research and engineering’s engineering manufacturing office, via a project named America Makes. ASTM will lead research on the sustainability and environmental benefits of additive manufacturing (AM) using the $2.1 million funding.
The project was announced in June 2024 by America Makes and the National Centre for Defence Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).
Key focuses of the project will include developing methodologies for reutilising and recycling AM materials. The project will also look to set out sustainable design strategies which meet quality and performance standards necessary for end-use applications.
The initiative will allow ASTM to deepen industry understanding of AM sustainability through assessing environmental impact of a range of processes and materials. A range of strategies for material recovery and lifecycle assessments will be investigated along with frameworks for aiding manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly practises without reducing quality or performance.
ASTM is joined by Boeing Company, Addman, Amaero Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, and the Additive Manufacturing Green Trade Association to make the team. ASTM will be the head of this unit.
Melissa Orme, vice president of Additive Manufacturing at Boeing, said: “Advancing sustainable practices in additive manufacturing is crucial for the future of aerospace and other industries. This project represents a major step toward achieving those goals by addressing full lifecycle assessment and sustainable design considerations.”
Further research will be used to supplement ASTM’s existing knowledge of AM standards, qualifications, certifications, and sustainability and help create an industry-wide best practice and regulatory guidelines. The aim is to find solutions that align with circular economy principles and improve the long-term viability of AM in industrial applications.
Mohsen Seifi, ASTM International’s vice president of Global Advanced Manufacturing, said: “We are pleased to lead this important project with America Makes. Our focus will be on developing methodologies that eventually promote the sustainable use of materials in additive manufacturing, ensuring both environmental benefits and high-quality outcomes for end users.”
