Formally launched in March 2016, the America Makes & ANSI Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC) is a cross-sector coordinating body whose objective is to accelerate the development of industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications consistent with stakeholder needs and thereby facilitate the growth of the additive manufacturing industry. The AMSC was launched because a number of standards developing organizations (SDOs) are engaged in standards-setting for various aspects of additive manufacturing, prompting the need for coordination to maintain a consistent, harmonized, and non-contradictory set of additive manufacturing standards. The AMSC is not developing standards or specifications. Rather, its purpose is to help drive coordinated standards development activity.
To date AMSC has published two versions of its Standardization Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, most recently Version 2.0, June 2018. The roadmap identifies existing standards and specifications, as well as those in development, assesses gaps, and makes recommendations for priority areas where there is a perceived need for additional standardization.
Following a 2022 survey about the use of the roadmap, the AMSC advisory group – comprised of industry, government, and SDO representatives – concluded that it was time to update the document to ensure it remains relevant and aligns with current practices and stakeholder needs. The roadmap revision process in 2022-23 to develop version 3.0 will consider the previously identified gaps and priorities, including progress by SDOs and others to address the recommendations. It will also identify potentially overlooked issues. A new working group will be established to address data throughout the additive manufacturing (AM) lifecycle. Gaps will be considered as they relate to different industry sectors, material types, process categories, and qualification and certification. Subject-matter experts interested in participating are invited to review the working group architecture, sign up for one or more working groups, and indicate their industry sector.
A one-hour virtual kick-off event providing more details was held on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Click here for a recording of the webinar. It is envisioned that the working groups will hold virtual twice-monthly meetings for six months. A draft roadmap version 3.0 will be targeted for public review in April 2023 before being finalized for publication by the end of June 2023.
The AMSC roadmap describes 93 gaps where no published standard or specification currently exists to respond to a particular industry need. Prior to the initiation of the roadmap version 3.0 update, the AMSC had been issuing semi-annual progress reports to maintain the roadmap as a “living document,” tracking the publication of new standards or the initiation of new standards projects by SDOs to address the roadmap gaps and recommendations.
During 2020-2021, the AMSC held a series of virtual events addressing different aspects of the roadmap. These brought together subject matter experts from industry, government, and academia for in depth discussion of the latest activity across the current standardization landscape for additive manufacturing.
The AMSC draws participation from private industry, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), material suppliers, government, academia, SDOs, and other interested stakeholders. Participation is open to additive manufacturing stakeholders that have operations in the U.S. Membership in America Makes and ANSI is encouraged but is not a prerequisite and there is no fee to participate at this time.
For those who do not wish to participate actively but want to receive periodic informational updates about the AMSC, click here. By clicking this link, you consent to the ANSI PRIVACY POLICY. You also consent to allow ANSI to retain your personal information. You may receive communications from ANSI directly related to your request.
ACCESS THE AMSC WORKING GROUP ARCHITECTURE
ACCESS A RECORDING OF THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 AMSC V3 KICKOFF WEBINAR
ACCESS THE SLIDES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 AMSC V3 KICKOFF WEBINAR
America Makes is the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing technology and education. America Makes members from industry, academia, government, workforce and economic development organizations, work together to accelerate the adoption of AM and the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness. Founded in 2012 as the Department of Defense’s manufacturing innovation institute for AM and first of the Manufacturing USA network, America Makes is based in Youngstown, Ohio and managed by the not-for-profit National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).
Visit www.americamakes.us to learn more.
