LRQA has awarded the TWI Technology Centre with an Additive Manufacturing (AM) facility qualification following an independent audit at the company’s 3D printing site in Yorkshire, UK.
The LRQA assessment included the design, materials, manufacture, post-processing and inspection of Stainless Steel 316L components made using TWI’s EOS M290 laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) system. PBF-LB is an AM process used to produce geometrically complex components that are difficult, expensive or impossible to create via conventional manufacturing.
Paul Goodwin, PPL and PBF Lead at TWI said: “PBF-LB is increasingly being used in industry, but its uptake has been hindered by a lack of understanding of the process, particularly in terms of controlling the quality and reproducibility of the parts made and how to qualify and certify these parts for use. The achievement of the facility qualification allows TWI to support industry on their journey towards part qualification and pre-audit facility checks for additively manufactured parts. We are now engaging with stakeholders regarding future work and additional developments to strengthen the facility qualification, including the addition of other materials and PBF-LB systems.”
David Hardacre, Lead Specialist at LRQA added: “An LRQA qualification provides independent third-party assurance to an AM facility and demonstrates a real commitment to the highest levels of consistent quality and safety”.
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