Additive manufacturing – the Nadcap journey

Additive manufacturing (AM) is growing rapidly in the aerospace industry and more companies are looking to make smaller parts cheaper and faster particularly using the powder bed process route. The Nadcap Welding Task Group is involved in a project to formalise the auditing of companies performing laser and EB powder additive manufacturing to exacting aerospace regulations.  

This presentation will document this journey through the Nadcap processes, the formation of an audit checklist and handbook, and the training and examination of auditors. Lessons learnt from “trial audits” will be given to demonstrate the need for process, procedure and operator qualification.

It also touches on the complex position of current AM standardisation, and the need to produce standards that can be used by the aerospace industry for their specific requirements.