The ability to design a sophisticated part for aviation or space exploration (or even a human organ) and manufacture it inside a machine still seems like something from science fiction, but it is happening worldwide on a daily basis. Once designed, tested and modeled on a computer, an object can be produced onsite and on-demand as required using AM.

Why is Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Important? AM-produced parts are being used by NASA in mission-critical situations and in the aviation and power industries where safety and reliability are of prime importance.

The parts manufactured using this technology can be more complex than those they replace, with a single AM part replacing several others. While some quality testing of these parts can be undertaken using existing methods, AM parts also present unique difficulties - not least because NASA is planning in-space robotic manufacturing and assembly using AM.

Read the full article at Azom.com.