Overview
ISO/ASTM 52904:2024 - Additive manufacturing of metals - Process characteristics and performance - Metal powder bed fusion process to meet critical applications - defines operation and production-control expectations for metal powder bed fusion (PBF) systems used where part failure could cause immediate threats. The second edition addresses PBF with both laser and electron beam energy sources and applies to the production of parts and mechanical test specimens. It frames a workflow covering personnel, digital data, equipment, feedstock, qualification and the manufacturing plan.
Key topics and requirements
The standard organizes requirements around practical, auditable elements rather than prescribing a single process:
- Personnel requirements - roles, responsibilities and competency considerations for controlled PBF production.
- Digital data - data records and processing controls to ensure traceability and reproducibility.
- PBF equipment requirements - machine and ancillary controls, including:
- Build platform and consumables
- Shielding gases and gas supply systems
- Powder spreading devices and powder handling
- Compressed air and environmental control systems
- Machine operating software and auxiliary tools
- Feedstock requirements - purchasing, acceptance and control of metal powders used in critical production.
- Qualification and validation - design checks (file, orientation, nesting), pre-build checks (maintenance, calibration, chamber conditions), periodic preventive maintenance, energy delivery verification, and requalification processes.
- Manufacturing plan and documentation - structured manufacturing plans, documentation requirements and examples (Annex A) to support process control, traceability and conformity assessment.
- Consolidated material and part considerations - material and part property characterization, and handling of non-conformities.
Note: The standard highlights that specifications for particular application fields (e.g., medical, aerospace) are provided in respective standards and that users remain responsible for safety, regulatory and environmental practices.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/ASTM 52904:2024 is intended for organizations involved in manufacturing safety- or mission-critical metal components using PBF technologies:
- Additive manufacturing service providers and OEMs producing aerospace, medical implant, defense, nuclear or other safety-critical parts
- Process and quality engineers establishing validated PBF workflows
- Machine manufacturers and integrators responsible for control systems and software
- Regulatory bodies, certification agencies and procurement specialists assessing supplier capability
- Test labs creating mechanical test specimens and qualification reports
Related standards (selected)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 - Additive manufacturing fundamentals and vocabulary
- ISO/ASTM 52907 - Methods to characterize metal powders (feedstock)
- ISO 8573-1 - Compressed air contaminants and purity classes
- ISO 17295 - Part positioning, coordinates and orientation
This standard helps organizations implement documented, auditable PBF processes to support reliability, traceability and compliance when producing parts for critical applications.