Quality assurance in metal additive manufacturing involves a series of processes and procedures that are put in place to ensure that the final product meets the specified design requirements and is free of defects. This includes steps such as pre-processing, build preparation, process monitoring, and post-processing inspection.
Some key players in the field of quality assurance in metal additive manufacturing include:
1. Equipment manufacturers: These companies produce the 3D printing machines and software that are used in the process. They often have their own quality assurance protocols in place to ensure that their equipment is functioning properly.
2. Material suppliers: These companies provide the metal powders or filaments that are used in the 3D printing process. They also have their own quality assurance protocols in place to ensure that the materials they provide are of a high quality.
3. Service providers: These companies offer 3D printing services to customers, and also have their own quality assurance protocols in place to ensure that the final products are of a high quality.
4. Standards organizations: These organizations develop and publish standards for the 3D printing industry to ensure that products are manufactured to a consistent level of quality.
Overall, quality assurance in metal additive manufacturing is a multi-disciplinary field that involves the collaboration of equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, service providers, and standards organizations to ensure that the final product meets the specified design requirements and is free of defects.
Here are some key companies that have QA strategies for Metal AM parts:
1. SGS: Global provider of inspection, verification, testing and certification services. They offer a range of quality assurance services for metal 3D printed parts, including visual inspections, dimensional measurements, and material testing.
2. Bureau Veritas: Global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. They offer a range of quality assurance services for metal 3D printed parts, including material testing, non-destructive testing, and dimensional measurements.
3. TÜV SÜD: Global provider of technical, safety and certification services. They offer a range of quality assurance services for metal 3D printed parts, including material testing, dimensional measurements, and functional testing.
4. Intertek: Global leader in quality assurance, testing, inspection and certification services. They offer a range of quality assurance services for metal 3D printed parts, including material testing, dimensional measurements, and non-destructive testing.
5. ALS: Global provider of testing and analytical services. They offer a range of quality assurance services for metal 3D printed parts, including material testing, dimensional measurements, and non-destructive testing.
These are just a few examples of the companies involved in quality assurance of metal 3D printed parts.
The qualifying of metal parts manufactured using AM involves several key steps to ensure robust and yet stringent assessment process to ensure AM parts are serviceable.
Here are some key steps & processes for the quality assurance assessment of 3D printed metal parts:
1. Design review: Review the design of the 3D printed metal part to ensure that it meets the necessary design requirements and industry standards.
2. Material testing: Perform various material tests on the 3D printed metal part, such as chemical analysis, mechanical testing, and microstructure analysis, to ensure that the material used meets the necessary specifications and standards.
3. Dimensional measurements: Use advanced measurement equipment to ensure that the 3D printed metal part conforms to the specified dimensions and tolerances.
4. Non-destructive testing (NDT): Use various NDT methods, such as X-ray, ultrasonic, and eddy current testing, to detect any internal defects or hidden flaws in the 3D printed metal part.
5. Functional testing: Perform functional testing on the 3D printed metal part to ensure that it meets the necessary performance requirements and specifications.
6. Final Inspection: Perform a final inspection of the 3D printed metal part to ensure that it meets all of the necessary design, material, dimensional, and functional requirements.
7. Report & certification: Provide a detailed report outlining the results of the quality assurance assessment, including any issues or concerns that were identified during the process.
