In recent years additive manufacturing (AM) has received significant visibility, both in the popular media as well as in scientific journals. In fact, the number of publications on additive manufacturing (including 3D-printing) jumped from approximately 1,600 in 2011 to over 16,000 in 2012 [1]. Additionally, impressive niche successes, such as a metal jaw replacement made completely via additive manufacturing [2], contributes to the fervor that makes up the future vision for additive manufacturing. This vision for additive manufacturing is simultaneously imaginative, outrageous, and inspiring. And while it is difficult to accurately predict the full future impact of additive manufacturing, it is easy to imagine how it could potentially impact every major industry - aerospace, defense, medicine, transportation, food, fashion - and have an even bigger impact on U.S. manufacturing than the robot revolution. [3]. While this vision is impressive, there remain significant technical challenges that first must be overcome if this vision is to be fully realized. This paper will summarize the key metrology-based technical challenges that are preventing metals-based additive manufacturing processes from being more pervasive, and describe current standardization efforts that are underway to address these challenges.
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