Additive manufacturing company Norsk Titanium and engineering standards association SAE International have introduced the first specifications for direct energy deposition (DED) 3D printing. The new specifications establish the minimum requirements for the procurement of Norsk Titanium’s Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) Preforms by aerospace (or non-aerospace) customers.

The specifications, developed by SAE’s Additive Manufacturing Committee (AMS-AM), are based upon Norsk Titanium’s process and material requirements for the RPD process, which are already used by many of its OEM partners. The official SAE specifications aim to make the metal AM process more broadly accessible for the aerospace and other industrial industries.

“Our engineers have thoroughly enjoyed working with the SAE team to validate our proprietary process with the engineering community,” commented Norsk President and CEO Michael Canario. “RPD is truly a disruptive process to the current subtractive manufacturing industry with wide benefits supporting not only the supplier, but the end-user.”

The new specifications also support the regulatory certification process by ensuring process consistency and quality control, marking a significant step ahead for the metal AM industry. Standards have, after all, become a growing area of interest for the industry as they are a key driver in the industrialization and adoption of additive manufacturing processes.

The two standards in question are AMS7004 (Titanium Alloy Preforms from Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing on Substrate Ti-6Al-4V Stress Relieved) and AMS7005 (Wire Fed Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing Process).

“Given that advanced materials and advanced manufacturing are strategic focus areas for SAE International, we continue to support the aerospace industry’s advances and adoption of additive manufacturing technologies,” said David Alexander, Director, Aerospace Standards at SAE International. “As well as contributing vital technical expertise, Norsk Titanium played a leadership role as document sponsor in the development of the groundbreaking new specifications and along with the other AMS-AM output, these new material and process specifications help address the regulatory authorities’ request for guidance material for this critical emerging technology.”

The SAE AMS-AM Committee was formed in 2015 by aerospace leaders with the goal of developing aerospace material specifications for metal and polymer 3D printing processes. The committee brings together over 500 participants from around the globe from a range of aerospace sub-sectors, including aircraft, spacecraft and engine OEMs, material suppliers, operators, equipment/system suppliers, service providers, regulatory authorities and defense agencies.