Abstract
The Institute of Measurement and Control and Additive Manufacture (Three-Dimensional Printing)
I think everyone involved in industry will have had or will very soon have exposure to Additive Manufacture (aka three-dimensional (3D) Printing). It has been widely covered in the media for the past few years and is popular at exhibitions and conferences. Component modelling software and 3D printers are now available for business, home and school use at affordable prices.
In my own business (measurement and control of nuclear power, nuclear fuel reprocessing, decommissioning and waste management), we can see both the potential benefits and the potential challenges for this technology. There is no doubt the development opportunity is huge and the market is ready for this new technology.
It seems to me that additive manufacture can be classified in a two-by-two matrix:
The rapid production of prototype components;
The production of non-critical, small-volume, possibly single-use components;
Components printed in plastics;
Components printed in metals.
My personal view is items 1, 2 and 3 are quite advanced, while item 4 is still a work in progress.
As with all new technologies, I think there is some over-enthusiasm attached to it. I respectfully suggest we are still some way from actually being able to buy printed cars, jet engines, guns, replacement body parts (made from living cells) and many of the other things the human imagination can perceive.
As a member of the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC), I wonder about measurement (and control) in additive manufacture – in particular, the availability of suitable Standards for the measurement of the quality of the finished components.
I note the International Organization for Standardization (ISO Committee TC261) and the American Society for Testing and Measurement (ASTM Committee F42) are working together to produce the ‘Additive Manufacturing Standards Development Structure’. It should offer a much-needed framework for both producers and users. It seems to me that early days for this work and their respective websites call for suitable volunteers to assist in this.
I also note the work of the UK Association of Print Specialists and Manufacturers (FESPA UK). I believe FESPA UK represents producers of printed products used in point of sale media, industrial applications, garments and textiles, short-run packaging and companies who supply the products and services to these.
Here’s my point – I believe measurement and control in additive manufacture is a developing technology. As such, we should encourage the involvement of InstMC members in advising, warning and guiding the content of such Standards. The InstMC really should be involved in this. I’m sure there are InstMC members with much more experience than I have on this subject. I encourage them to contact the InstMC Standards Policy Panel Chairman (
Regards,