While 3D printing has been lauded for it ability to create short-run parts and rapidly develop functional prototypes, the industry lacks many standards that are required by high-value product manufacturers. To help solve this problem the NIST is investing in the development of methods to standardized 3D printing material properties and machine performance ratings.
The first grant, totaling $5M, was awarded to the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) and will aid the organization’s research toward creating a certification standard that can be used in the production of high-value 3D printed designs.
With the remaining $2.4 of this funding round, the NIST chose to fund research at Northern Illinois University where engineers will develop tools to analyze the quality of 3D printed parts.
According to NIST Director Patrick Gallagher, “Improving additive manufacturing is an important part of the [Government’s] efforts to help U.S. manufacturers by supporting new opportunities to innovate".
To that end Mr. Gallagher also noted, “The public-private research partnerships led by NAMII and Northern Illinois University are tackling important measurement barriers that must be overcome before this cutting-edge technology can be more widely used, helping America remain innovative and globally competitive."
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