ASTM and EOS Expand AM Machine Operator Certification Program

The ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and EOS’ Additive Minds Academy are expanding the ASTM PBF-LB Machine Operator Certification program to include the EOS M 400/EOS M 400-4 metal additive manufacturing (AM) platform to certify compliance with the safety and quality requirements in ISO/ASTM 52942:2020.

The Additive Minds Academy is engineering, consulting and education arm of EOS’ applied engineering and training group. It works with industry partners to provide training programs to streamline AM education, onboarding processes and continuous education for organizations using EOS technology as well as metal and polymer laser powder bed fusion process (LPBF). EOS says the Academy offers courses to enhance any level of experience, serving as a resource for accelerating AM upskilling, reskilling and staying up to date with that latest technologies for industrial 3D printing.

Originally launched in April 2022 and piloted with the EOS M 290 system, the PBF-LB Machine Operator Certification program provides a benchmark for assessing reliable and competent operations of metal PBF-LB machines, based on the joint ISO/ASTM standard (ISO/ASTM 52942:2020). The certification is now offered to both EOS M 290 and EOS M 400/EOS M 400-4 operators, offering a “stamp of approval,” along with theoretical and practical assessments to evaluate machine-specific competency.

The ASTM certification evaluates:

• Additive Manufacturing Procedure Specification (APS)
• Standard operating procedures
• Machine management and build process monitoring
• Postprocessing optimization
• Operator maintenance of systems
• Powder material family specializations — up to two material groups based on user’s selection

“ASTM continues its effort to support the industrialization of additive manufacturing by offering programs such as certification,” says Paul Bates, senior training and certification leader at ASTM International. ”This certification allows operators of sophisticated AM machines to demonstrate expertise and stand out in the industry. The certification will emphasize your organization’s commitment to quality and consistency using PBF-LB processes, and open doors to new production opportunities in the world of additive manufacturing.”

The academy says it is pleased to see the certification program growing. “Coupled with the recent launch of our in-person Additive Minds Academy training center, we are taking substantial steps toward closing the industrial 3D printing educational gap and building a stronger, more robust AM workforce for the future of our industry,” says Fabian Alefeld, senior manager of the Additive Minds Academy and Consulting at EOS.

Formed in 2018, the AM CoE is a collaborative partnership among ASTM International and organizations from industry, government and academia that conducts strategic R&D to advance standards across all aspects of AM technologies. The center aims to accelerate the development and adoption of robust, game-changing technologies by supporting standardization, developing training and certification programs, and providing market intelligence, business strategy and advisory services via Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International.