Picking the wrong supplier doesn't just cost you money on a single part. It costs you schedule, rework, and sometimes the whole program.
The powder IS the process. Bad feedstock will ruin parts no matter how good your machine parameters are.
AS9100 proves they've got a quality management system. Nadcap means they've passed a third-party audit on their specific processes—and Nadcap auditors don't mess around. ISO 13485 tells you they know medical device manufacturing. ITAR registration means they're cleared to handle defense data and controlled materials. Each one says something different. Most shops pick and choose based on which customers keep them busiest. You need to understand what each actually means for your specific program.
AM parts are only as good as the powder that builds them. Particle size distribution, morphology, chemistry, and moisture content all directly affect density, surface finish, and mechanical properties. Get the powder wrong and nothing downstream can fix it.
15-45μm, tight gaussian distribution, D10/D50/D90 ratios matter
45-105μm, coarser powder, wider distribution acceptable
45-150μm, depends on nozzle diameter and carrier gas flow
15-45μm similar to DMLS, but spreadability is critical
Nadcap for AM is still maturing. The AC7110/14 checklist keeps evolving, and a lot of shops are figuring it out as they go.
Nadcap is PRI's special process accreditation program. For AM, it falls under AC7110/14. It's not a QMS cert like AS9100 — it's specific to the manufacturing process itself. Primes like Boeing, Lockheed, RTX require it.
Spherical is ideal — satellites, irregular shapes, and oxidation layers all cause problems. SEM imaging is the standard check.
Hall flow rate under 20 seconds per 50g is the target. Carney funnel for powders that don't flow through Hall.
Apparent density and tap density — Hausner ratio tells you how the powder will pack in the bed
IQ/OQ for each printer, parameter lock-down
Incoming inspection, reuse tracking, contamination prevention
In-situ monitoring, melt pool data, layer imaging
HIP parameters, heat treat profiles, documentation
Mechanical testing per ASTM, CT scanning, metallography
Reuse is economically necessary but needs management. Most shops allow 5-15 reuse cycles depending on material. Track oxygen pickup in Ti-6Al-4V, monitor PSD shift in Inconel, sieve between every build. Blend ratios of virgin to reused matter.
Typically 3-5 days on-site. What happens day by day, merit system, what nonconformances look like. Common findings include incomplete powder traceability, process specs that don't match actual practice, and missing CT scan protocols.
Reactive metal, argon atmosphere required, oxygen content is the critical spec, fire risk is real
Gummy melt pool, higher energy density needed, excellent high-temp properties worth the difficulty
Hydrogen absorption, reflectivity challenges for laser systems, excellent strength-to-weight
17-4PH and 316L are workhorses, most forgiving to print, good starting material for new programs
6-12 months from scratch. $20k-35k first audit, $10k-15k surveillance. Worth it if you want prime contractor work.
Our network includes Nadcap-accredited facilities. We match parts to the right accredited shop, so you get the certifications you need without managing multiple vendor relationships.
We source powder from qualified suppliers with full lot traceability and certs. Every batch meets your material spec before it hits a printer.
We'll connect you with facilities that hold current Nadcap accreditation for additive manufacturing.
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