January 26, 2018
UL, a global safety science company, and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), Asia’s first centre for test-bedding and developing manufacturing and remanufacturing technologies, have partnered to launch a joint validation program focused on the verification and certification of metal powders for Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. The new validation program is based on over two years of research and development.
“We are excited to expand UL’s AM service portfolio into metals”, said Dr. Khalid Rafi, UL AM Lead Development Engineer and Metallurgist. “ARTC’s state-of-the-art Additive Manufacturing facility with a wide range of AM equipment and extensive knowledge in powder-bed materials and platforms was critical for the success of the joint program” said Dr. Rafi. “Collaborations with strategic partners will continue to be a key driver for the UL AM team in supporting the industry with robust research-based solutions."
While AM metal technology has experienced substantial growth in the last four years, industry leaders have recognized the inherent variability within the technology’s processes and materials producing uncertainty in quality, manufacturing consistency and reliability. As the industry moves from prototyping to production, the need to demonstrate process control and reliability increases significantly.
The objective of the program is to provide a third-party validation of powder-based materials for AM processes ensuring consistency and repeatability of the manufacturing process. The program is built upon existing technical guidance, existing standards, and industry best practices for material and process characterization.
To learn more about the program and what it means for your business, please contact us at additivemanufacturing@ul.com.