Overview
ISO/ASTM 52901:2017 - Additive manufacturing - General principles - Requirements for purchased AM parts defines the minimum information and contractual requirements for buying parts produced by additive manufacturing (AM). It provides a common framework for communication between a customer and a part provider so that delivered AM parts meet agreed specifications. The standard is process‑ and material‑agnostic and can be used as a top‑level basis for procuring AM parts, with the option to add more stringent supplementary requirements at the time of order.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Establishes what must be exchanged at order time to avoid ambiguity when procuring AM parts.
- Part ordering information: Customer contact, part identifiers, quantities, delivery schedule, marking, packaging, and purchase order references.
- Part definition data: Geometry (engineering drawings or 3D digital files), file formats and transfer methods, build orientation, tolerances, and zones for functional vs. cosmetic requirements.
- Feedstock and process: Identification of feedstock type and any process or post‑processing requirements (e.g., heat treatment, surface finishing). Build orientation guidance references ISO/ASTM 52921.
- Surface texture and tolerances: Specification of roughness/waviness (by reference to standards such as ISO 1302/ISO 25178) and general or specific geometric tolerances.
- Inspection and acceptance: Pre‑shipment inspection, inspection plans, acceptance criteria and documentation. Defines qualification part, first production part, and reference part concepts for validating capability before full production.
- Repair and permissible deviations: Requirements for allowable imperfections, repair methods and process control information.
- Purchase order content: Annex A provides a template of typical purchase order elements to ensure completeness.
Practical applications
- Use ISO/ASTM 52901:2017 when procuring AM parts from service bureaus or internal AM shops to ensure clear requirements and traceability.
- Supports procurement, quality, and design teams in creating unambiguous orders that include digital file transfer, material specification, inspection plans, and acceptance rules.
- Helpful for establishing qualification flows (qualification, first production, reference parts) to validate processes and suppliers before volume production.
- Facilitates supply‑chain communication in aerospace, medical, automotive, tooling, and industrial applications where AM parts require controlled specifications.
Who should use it
- Procurement and supply‑chain managers, part providers and AM service bureaus
- Design and manufacturing engineers, quality and inspection teams
- OEMs and integrators specifying purchased AM components
Related standards
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (terminology)
- ISO/ASTM 52921 (coordinate systems / build orientation)
- ISO 17296‑3 (AM test methods and characteristics)
- ASTM F3122 (mechanical property evaluation for metal AM)
Keywords: ISO/ASTM 52901:2017, additive manufacturing, purchased AM parts, part ordering, inspection, tolerances, feedstock, build orientation, qualification parts.