Environmental Impacts of Standardization Efforts in Additive Manufacturing

This paper focuses on the environmental effects of additive manufacturing (AM) and the need for critical evaluation techniques. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is emphasized as an approach to measure the ecosystem effect of AM over the whole lifespan of the product. The NSF-funded workshop on the environmental consequences of AM highlighted areas characterized by knowledge gaps and uncertainties, which will direct future research efforts in this domain. The paper highlights the significance of material selection in AM and presents a new mechanism for evaluating the environmental consequences of AM components. The research revealed that the use of materials in AM might lead to a substantial decrease in environmental consumption and energy consumption. Nevertheless, the research also emphasizes the problem of material waste in additive manufacturing techniques. The study advocates for the creation of standardized measuring methodology and sustainability characterisation methods for AM in order to encourage wider adoption and the implementation of sustainable manufacturing practices. ASTM International is an association dedicated to the advancement of standards for sustainable manufacturing and AM.