TS EN ISO ASTM 52900

TS EN ISO ASTM 52900 is a terminology standard for additive manufacturing. It centres on the additive shaping principle, in which physical three-dimensional geometries are built by successive addition of material, and it provides the shared vocabulary used across this technology area.

Why terminology matters in additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing differs from conventional methods such as casting, machining, or molding because the part is created by adding material rather than removing it. That makes clear distinctions important between process names, machine elements, feedstock forms, and the objects being produced. Terminology standards help designers, manufacturers, quality teams, and supply-chain partners use the same terms with the same meaning.

What this document covers

• Terms used in additive manufacturing (AM) technology and their definitions.
• The conceptual framework of building physical 3D geometries by additive shaping.
• General principles that support consistent technical communication in the field.

In general technical context, a standard of this type acts as a reference for distinguishing between different additive manufacturing process families. In design practice, additive manufacturing is often associated with complex internal geometries, lightweight structures, and shapes that are difficult to produce by conventional routes; however, this document is not a process-specification standard. Its focus is on how the relevant concepts are named and understood, rather than on how production is carried out.