AddUp achieves ASTM safety certification for metal Additive Manufacturing

AddUp, headquartered in Cébazat, France, has reported that its North American subsidiary, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the first OEM to receive the new ASTM Additive Manufacturing Safety (AMS) certification. Over the past few years, AddUp has partnered closely with ASTM, helping to define the safety protocols and guidelines that ensure safe operation in AM facilities. These efforts were crucial to establishing a roadmap for other manufacturers entering the additive space, ensuring that safety is at the forefront of the industry’s growth.

“We are incredibly excited to be part of this initiative with ASTM,” said Austin Kron, AddUp’s Director of Operations & Field Service. “When we set up our own AM facility, we realised there were no clear standards for the industry. We wanted to help create a roadmap for others, showing how to do it safely and effectively. We take pride in being the gold standard for AM safety.”

The comprehensive audit process for this certification included a detailed evaluation of AddUp’s AM facility, with specific attention to personal protective equipment (PPE), machine installation and grounding, powder handling, hazardous waste disposal, and facility cleanliness. AddUp’s team guided ASTM through the various safety measures needed in an AM facility, drawing on their own experiences from setting up a state-of-the-art facility at their North American headquarters in Cincinnati.

This audit, conducted by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), was a first-of-its-kind. AddUp volunteered to be the inaugural company audited for AMS certification and worked closely with SEI auditors to ensure that each requirement was not only met but thoroughly understood. The audit served as an opportunity to educate and provide feedback to SEI, reinforcing why each safety protocol is essential for AM operations.

“AddUp’s commitment to safety has been exemplary,” said Paul Bates, Senior Lead, Training and Certification Programs at ASTM International AM CoE. “Their involvement in helping us define the guidelines for this certification and their willingness to open their doors for the first-ever AMS audit speaks volumes about their leadership in the AM industry. AddUp has set a new standard for AM safety, and we are grateful for their dedication.”

The AddUp Solution Center, established in 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio, served as the model facility for the audit. This centre is equipped with dedicated AM workspaces, including Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) machines, as well as a metallurgical lab, training facility, and post-process machining department. In addition to serving as a demonstration facility, it offers Additive Manufacturing services, consulting, and training to customers. The facility is ISO 9001, AS 9001 certified, and ITAR and CMMC compliant.

From its inception, the AddUp Solution Center was designed with safety in mind. The facility incorporates static control measures, oxygen exposure prevention for reactive materials, fire suppression systems, dust cloud mitigation, air quality controls, and rigorous employee training protocols. These measures ensure a safe working environment for employees and visitors. In addition to achieving this certification, AddUp offers consulting services through its LevelUp Service Solutions programme. The programme provides expert advice to manufacturers looking to establish their own AM facilities, ensuring that they meet the gold standard for safety and efficiency in the Additive Manufacturing space.

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