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Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing

a 3D metal printer produces a complex steel part
Research Areas
two researchers work at a 3D printer
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Additive manufacturing
Projects & Programs

How does NIST help?

Additive manufacturing is causing fundamental changes in the way mechanical parts are produced. As the field matures, comprehensive measurements and standards will be critical for expanding AM use by industry. Through its core missions of measurement science research and standards development, NIST is working with U.S. industry to lead these manufacturing transitions.​

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News and Updates

Electron backscatter diffraction for additive manufacturing, 1 of 2

Spotlight: Jake Benzing and Electron Backscatter Diffraction

These images scream “manufacturing,” right? For NIST’s Jake Benzing, they certainly do. With an electron microscope by his side, the NRC postdoctoral fellow creates scans like these for 3D-printed cubes made from different metal alloys. The cubes come from a process called additive manufacturing, which builds up a 3D shape from thin layers of metal powder, each melted into place by a laser or
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An arial view shows part of the huge enclosed loop of an accelerator, with attached buildings and parking lots.

NIST Researchers Discover a New Way to Whisk Alloys Together With Lasers

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Nine images in a grid invoke cutting-edge technologies in bioscience, communications, energy, navigation and other fields.

NIST Allocates Over $3 Million to Small Businesses Advancing AI, Biotechnology, Semiconductors, Quantum and More

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Nine images in a grid invoke cutting-edge technologies in bioscience, communications, energy, navigation and other fields.

NIST Awards Over $1.8 Million to Small Businesses Advancing AI, Semiconductors, Additive Manufacturing and More

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Blog Posts

A bearded man poses smiling next to an open cabinet of equipment in a lab.

Laser Focused: How Light Reflections Could Revolutionize 3D Printing of Metals

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Thomas Forbes wears safety glasses as he looks at the screen attached to a piece of equipment in the lab.

Your Future Medications Could Be Personalized for You on a 3D Printer

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Aly Artusio-Glimpse smiles and holds up a tiny glass square.

Benchy the Boat, Irradiated Mangoes, Quantum Window: A Sample of Stories on NIST Social Media

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Featured Videos

NIST's 3D Printer Testbed

NIST's 3D Printer Testbed

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Rapid Application Group

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Rapid Application Group

Spreading metal powder for additive manufacturing

Spreading metal powder for additive manufacturing

3D Printing with a Laser and Metal Powder

3D Printing with a Laser and Metal Powder

Thermography IN625

Thermography IN625

3-D Microstructure IN625

3-D Microstructure IN625

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