Overview
EN ISO/ASTM 52903-2:2020 sets the international standard for process equipment in material extrusion-based additive manufacturing of plastic parts. Developed by CEN in partnership with ISO and ASTM, this standard defines essential requirements and best practices to ensure the integrity and quality of plastic components produced using material extrusion, a key method in 3D printing and additive manufacturing. This document is particularly crucial for manufacturers, AM users, and customers who procure or specify plastic parts fabricated using extrusion-based processes.
Key Topics
- Process Classification: The standard outlines three classes (I-III) for process specification based on the required quality and traceability of parts.
- Class I: Most rigorous, ensuring the highest quality and traceability.
- Class II: High quality with moderate traceability requirements.
- Class III: General guidelines with minimum traceability.
- Equipment and Operational Parameters: Detailed requirements for selecting, operating, maintaining, and qualifying additive manufacturing equipment, with emphasis on cleaning, calibration, and maintenance.
- Material Handling and Processing: Methods for conditioning and managing raw materials as per ISO/ASTM 52903-1, ensuring material quality and part performance.
- Test Specimen Fabrication: Guidance on building and testing specimens to assess both direction-dependent and independent mechanical properties.
- Quality Assurance: Clear responsibilities are defined for inspection, testing, reporting, and adherence to customer requirements.
- Post-Processing: Recommendations for support removal, finishing, visual inspection, and defect evaluation.
Applications
The implementation of EN ISO/ASTM 52903-2:2020 brings consistency and reliability to several sectors utilizing material extrusion-based 3D printing of plastics:
- Industrial Manufacturing: Ensures repeatable and reliable fabrication of plastic components for machinery, jigs, fixtures, and production aids.
- Prototyping and Product Development: Provides guidelines for producing functional prototypes with predictable mechanical properties, supporting product testing and innovation.
- Consumer Products: Assures integrity and consistency in producing plastic parts for consumer goods using additive manufacturing techniques.
- Medical Devices: Underpinned by references to quality management standards, this document supports compliance with regulatory expectations in the healthcare sector.
- Automotive and Aerospace: Facilitates the production of custom or small-batch plastic components with documented process controls, as required in highly regulated industries.
Related Standards
EN ISO/ASTM 52903-2:2020 complements a range of other internationally recognized additive manufacturing and plastics standards, including:
- ISO/ASTM 52900: General principles, fundamentals, and vocabulary for additive manufacturing.
- ISO/ASTM 52903-1: Feedstock material requirements for material extrusion-based additive manufacturing.
- ISO/ASTM 52921: Terminology for coordinate systems and test methodologies in additive manufacturing.
- ASTM F3091: Powder bed fusion of plastic materials - for broader additive manufacturing applications.
- Relevant Plastics Testing Standards: Such as ISO 178, ISO 179, ISO 527, ASTM D638, and ASTM D790 for mechanical property evaluation.
- ISO 9001 and ISO 13485: Quality management system requirements relevant for general manufacturing and medical device applications.
EN ISO/ASTM 52903-2:2020 is a vital resource for ensuring quality, process control, and customer confidence in material extrusion-based additive manufacturing of plastics. By applying these standardized procedures, organizations can optimize production efficiency, product reliability, and market compliance across diverse industries.