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Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing Research Areas

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National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Additive Manufacturing (AM) focuses on research in materials, technologies, and applications. Feel free to contact us with questions or opportunities to collaborate. 
 
See the sections below to learn more about NIST AM research areas: 
Materials | Technologies | Data Science

Materials

NIST AM studies several material types (metals, polymers, ceramics, and advanced materials). Learn more.

a 3D metal printer produces a complex steel part
We study materials, properties, characteristics, and behaviors for applications to additive manufacturing.
Credit: Adobe Stock

 

 

Technologies

Our NIST AM team implements a variety of AM techniques. Learn more.

a 3D printer prints white gears using polymer filament
This 3D printer builds parts via material extrusion, an AM technology that produces less scrap waste than traditional manufacturing technologies. 
Credit: Adobe Stock

Data Science

Our team develops methods, metrics, models, standards, tools, and testbeds to enable the use of AM data for industrialization. Learn more.

‘Time above melt’ values processed from high speed, in-situ thermographic imaging of each layer a laser powder bed fusion 3D build, and compiled into a digital twin of the part shape. Part of AM-Bench 2022 datasets.
We develop AM data, like these ‘Time above melt’ values from the AM-Bench 2022 datasets, to advance AM technologies and their adoption.

 

Manufacturing, Additive manufacturing, Materials, Metrology and Standards

Contacts

Additive Manufacturing Program Coordinators

Created November 5, 2024, Updated April 23, 2025