ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE)

The ASTM AM CoE is a global initiative driving the industrialization of additive manufacturing through standardization, workforce development, data infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration. With a unique position at the intersection of R&D, qualification, and certification, the AM CoE delivers scalable solutions that enable manufacturers to move from innovation to implementation.

Workforce Development & Training

To close critical knowledge gaps, the AM CoE offers a suite of personnel development programs:

• Certificate Programs: General and role-based AM courses equip technicians, engineers, and managers with targeted skills across the AM value chain.

• E-learning: Flexible online modules support just-in-time learning and scalable team training.

• Workshops:

  • Snapshot Workshops provide broad AM education and highlight standardization gaps.

  • Specialty Workshops dive deep into technical and industry-specific challenges, guiding strategic standard development.

• Personnel Certification: Programs such as the Metal PBF-LB Machine Operator Certification ensure individuals meet proficiency benchmarks in key AM roles.

Manufacturer Certification

The ASTM AM Certification Program offers a unified, standards-based framework to evaluate and qualify AM providers across sectors. Built on ISO/ASTM 52901, 52904, and 52920, the program enables manufacturers to:

• Demonstrate AM-specific process readiness

• Reduce redundant audits through a flexible, multi-sectoral model

• Gain visibility on a qualified manufacturer list

• Align with OEM-led expectations through the Additive Manufacturing Certification Committee (AMCC)

Proficiency Testing

Through its Proficiency Testing Program (PTP), ASTM helps labs and R&D centers improve and benchmark their powder characterization techniques. The program involves:

• Biannual testing cycles using commercial metal powders

• Assessment of properties like flow rate, apparent density, and particle size

• Alignment with ASTM test methods

• Support for lab accreditation and customer confidence

Strategic Research and the R2S Roadmap

The AM CoE’s Research to Standardization (R2S) initiative accelerates standards development by aligning R&D projects with clearly identified gaps across the AM landscape. Priorities are shaped by ASTM members, the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC), and industry stakeholders.

Projects span critical topics including:

• In-situ defect detection

• Powder cleanliness and moisture sensitivity

• PBF process qualification and interruption recovery

• Data formats, design guides, post-processing, and fatigue testing

All R2S research is targeted toward actionable outcomes: improved test methods, reference data sets, and the foundations for new or updated standards.

CMDS: Consortium for Materials Data and Standardization

The CMDS brings together AM stakeholders to create robust, high-quality materials datasets that are foundational to qualification, certification, and predictive modeling.

Key outcomes include:

• Shared, machine-agnostic “reference” datasets

• Defined best practices for AM data generation and curation

• FAIR-aligned data infrastructure

• Integration with F42 committee efforts and standards development

CMDS empowers AM stakeholders to reduce variability, support AI/ML-driven qualification, and accelerate materials innovation across platforms.

ICAM: The Annual Flagship Conference

The International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ICAM) is AM CoE’s premier global event, uniting leaders from industry, academia, government, and regulatory bodies.

ICAM:

• Focuses on transitioning research into real-world applications through standardization

• Addresses qualification and certification across materials, processes, and industries

• Serves as a platform for stakeholder alignment and future-focused collaboration