Inside the Audit: What It Really Takes to Earn the New ASTM 3D Printing Certification

Inside KSB’s Pilot Audit

KSB was one of three companies—alongside AM Craft and Oechsler—that volunteered as pilot sites to test the certification framework. For Braun, the motivation was twofold: first customer trust.

“At first, it’s the look at the customer—that they trust in the things we do,” Braun told All3DP. Certification provides visible proof that KSB’s AM processes can stand up to scrutiny.

The second motivation was getting a fresh perspective. “What we found, especially here on the certification, was a totally different view,” Braun explaines. While European organizations had already audited KSB, ASTM’s U.S.-based team zeroed in on new details. “They were not only top from an auditor view but they also had good background in AM. That helps a lot.”

The audit itself lasted two days. Using ASTM’s digital audit platform, auditors and KSB staff worked side by side in real time—documenting processes, flagging gaps, and logging improvements. Rather than leaving companies waiting weeks for a final report, the system provided immediate feedback.

In KSB’s case, most processes were already strong. But auditors pushed deeper into areas such as personnel qualification, encouraging role-specific training for designers, operators, and quality staff. “We had it in place for years,” Braun says, “but they wanted it more differentiated by role. That was new.”

More Than a Badge on the Wall

For KSB, certification is not just about marketing. It’s about building confidence in a technology that still raises eyebrows.

“Two-thirds of customers have some skepticism about [[3D printing]],” Braun admits. Since starting AM in 2014, KSB has countered skepticism with hard data, running thousands of material tests to prove process stability. Certification adds an independent layer of validation—one that customers worldwide can recognize and trust.

It also simplifies supply chain decisions. When KSB needs parts in materials outside its core, such as aluminum or titanium, Braun says they’ll look first for suppliers with certifications, and the same, he expects will be true for 3D printing services that earn the ASTM certification. “That way, you don’t have to go to every supplier with your own audit. You know there’s already a trusted baseline.”

This, in turn, reduces redundant audits across the industry—a major cost and time burden for both OEMs and suppliers. ASTM’s program promises to streamline that, saving companies money while accelerating time-to-market.

Toward a Minimum Standard

Perhaps most importantly, Braun sees certification as the start of a “minimum standard” for the AM industry.

“A good AM factory has to do a qualification like this,” he says. “It shows that the people working here know their processes, that know how to deliver good quality. That’s important not just for us, but for the industry.”

Annual reviews will keep companies accountable, ensuring continuous improvement rather than a one-time stamp of approval.

For KSB, final certification is expected later this year. But Braun already views the process as worthwhile. “We discovered areas for improvement to stay ahead and remain best in class,” he says. “This is a good opportunity to have something on top—something that shows worldwide that we are prepared.”

A Step Toward Broader Acceptance

Additive manufacturing has long promised to revolutionize industries, from lightweight aerospace parts to custom medical implants. But promises only go so far without trust. Certification, by providing a common language of quality, may be the bridge between innovation and widespread adoption.

As Braun put it, “This is the first step to trust worldwide.”