ISO/ASTM 52920:2023

Overview

ISO/ASTM 52920:2023 - "Additive manufacturing - Qualification principles - Requirements for industrial additive manufacturing processes and production sites" defines qualification and quality assurance requirements for part manufacturers using additive manufacturing (AM). Independent of material and specific AM technology (as defined in ISO/ASTM 52900), this standard sets criteria for AM-relevant processes, production-site activities, and quality-relevant characteristics across the additive system operations. It complements existing quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and focuses on establishing reproducible, auditable AM production rather than providing comprehensive environment, health and safety guidance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & applicability: Requirements apply to AM technologies defined in ISO/ASTM 52900 and to part manufacturers, not limited by material or process.
• Infrastructure requirements: Facility, AM system installation, ancillary equipment, feedstock storage, IT infrastructure, and foreign object debris (FOD) control.
• Manufacturability assessment: Design, manufacturing and post-processing review to ensure parts can be produced consistently.
• Qualification of system operations: Validation planning, process mapping, risk assessment, and a master validation plan; formal IQ/OQ/PQ (installation, operational, performance) qualification.
• Process documentation: Manufacturing plan specification, documentation and tracing of process steps, including data preparation and traceability.
• Process steps: Requirements for pre-process data prep, feedstock management, system setup, build cycle, process finalization, and post-processing controls.
• Quality assurance: Personnel competence, handling of non-conformities, acceptance criteria, continuous improvement, production run and part approval, and quality controls for serial production.

Practical applications and users

Who benefits:

• AM part manufacturers establishing reproducible production for series parts or replacements.
• Quality managers and process engineers implementing AM-specific quality controls, validation, and traceability.
• Regulated industry suppliers in aerospace, automotive, medical, rail, and industrial equipment seeking standardized qualification principles.
• Procurement and auditors using the standard to reduce supplier audit scope when suppliers meet ISO/ASTM 52920:2023 requirements.

Practical benefits:

• Improved reproducibility and part quality across AM production sites.
• Clear validation and documentation framework (IQ/OQ/PQ, master validation plan).
• Basis to integrate AM-specific content into existing QMS and to demonstrate process competence to customers.

Related standards

• ISO/ASTM 52900 - AM fundamentals and vocabulary
• ISO/ASTM 52950 - Overview of data processing
• ISO/ASTM 52931, ISO/ASTM 52933, ISO/ASTM 52938-1, ISO 27548 - complementary AM guidance
• Quality management references: ISO 9001, EN 9100, ISO 13485, IATF 16949

Keywords: ISO/ASTM 52920:2023, additive manufacturing, AM qualification, qualification principles, AM processes, production sites, IQ/OQ/PQ, quality assurance, AM validation, manufacturability assessment.