ASTM announces new standard on PBF-LB process for metal parts
ASTM International, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA, has announced a new standard that aims to provide advice for the Additive Manufacturing of metal parts using the Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) process. ASTM’s Additive Manufacturing committee (F42) developed the standard, which will be published as F3530.
ASTM International member Farhan Khan explains that the new guide provides an overview of the most commonly used post-processing operations, challenges in carrying out those operations, and best practices on how to address these challenges.
“In spite of the rapidly growing interest from the industry in laser powder-bed fusion for metals, there is a lack of guidance on how and why post-processing is carried out leading to inefficient designs, expensive post-processing, high non-conformity, and scrap rates,” states Khan. “This standard provides specific guidance on how to design a component to ensure it can be effectively post-processed for operations such as powder removal, thermal post-processing, build plate removal, support removal, machining, and surface finishing.”
Khan adds that the new standard will be most useful to designers and engineers who are considering using PBF-LB. Additionally, managers and decision-makers who are considering the use of PBF-LB in their organisation or supply chain will benefit from the standard.
