ASTM International has officially inked its MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with NSERC Network for Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing (HI-AM Network), based in Canada, for the development of standards related to additive manufacturing. The network contains 19 experts in additive manufacturing from a total of 7 universities in Canada and is already working for tackling challenges that are slowing down 3D printing equipment adoption within various industrial markets. It has synced with ASTM International which remains committed towards creating standards for promotion of knowledge of the additive manufacturing sector, process performance in numerous verticals and higher quality for printed products.

As a result of this MoU with the HI-AM Network, ASTM International is hopeful about enabling efficient collaboration on various activities, promoting exchange of information on interesting topics and drawing higher Canadian participation in the process of developing standards. The collaboration may affect global industrialization of AM technologies positively and help in advancing innovative global additive manufacturing standardizations.

Such advancement will need robust R&D (research and development) efforts and invaluable contributions have been shown by the HI-AM Network for backing the filling up of gaps in the field of standards development as per the Director of Global Additive Manufacturing Programs at ASTM International, Dr. Mohsen Seifi. He added that it is a pleasure to tie up with several top class universities within the HI-AM Network for emphasizing on crucial challenges facing the industry and have registered two standard work items already as a result of such collaborative endeavors.

The Chairman of the Board at HI-AM and previous America Makes President and CEO, Ralph Resnick, stated that several members within the HI-AM Network academic team already hold membership of ASTM International and are at the cusp of global efforts for developing additive manufacturing standards. He added that there is a great sense of delight with regard to enhancing this robust relationship via signing of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding).