Overview
ISO/ASTM 52926-1:2023 - "Additive manufacturing of metals - Qualification principles - Part 1: General qualification of operators" defines the qualification principles for AM operators working with metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems. It provides guidance for qualifying machine/system operators in general industrial applications, describing responsibilities, assessment principles, and the scope of operator certificates. Where industry-specific rules exist (for example, aerospace), those standards (such as ISO/ASTM 52942) take precedence.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope of qualification
- Applies to operators handling metallic parts production using AM technologies; process-specific requirements are covered in other parts of the 52926 series.
- Essential variables and range
- Qualification is defined by essential variables: AM process, feedstock/material group, and machine type/HMI software. Operators must be requalified if working outside their qualified range.
- Process families addressed include Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF); the standard references parts for PBF-LB, PBF-EB, DED-LB and DED-Arc (ISO/ASTM 52926-2 to -5).
- Material groups A–F are identified (e.g., steels, titanium, aluminum, nickel alloys); qualification may be extended between groups where allowed.
- Assessment principles
- A combined theoretical and practical assessment is required. Theoretical tests must be passed before practical testing.
- Minimum pass criteria: not less than 60% (industries may require higher).
- Candidates may attempt the combined test up to three times; further training is required after three failures.
- An appointed examiner must oversee assessments; external examiners may be used when required.
- Qualification test certificate
- Certificates must specify operator identity, AM process, machine model and HMI software version, material group(s), tested skills, issue and expiry dates, and examiner signature.
- Certificates are valid only for the assessed machine model, process, materials and skills.
- Validity and requalification
- Requalification is required when operating outside the certified range or after changes (e.g., HMI updates) that alter procedures.
Applications and users
Who uses ISO/ASTM 52926-1:2023:
- AM machine operators and trainees
- Training organizations and in-house competence programs
- Quality managers, production supervisors and EHS personnel
- Certification bodies, auditors and HR departments establishing competency frameworks
- Industries: automotive, medical devices, aerospace (note: aerospace uses ISO/ASTM 52942), railway, mechanical engineering, and general industrial metal AM.
Related standards
- ISO/ASTM 52926-2 to -5 (process-specific operator qualifications)
- ISO/ASTM 52942 (aerospace operator qualification)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (AM fundamentals and vocabulary)
- ISO 17296-2 (AM process overview)
Keywords: ISO/ASTM 52926-1:2023, additive manufacturing, metal AM, AM operators, operator qualification, PBF, DED, material groups, qualification certificate, requalification.