Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is no longer just a prototyping tool—it’s being used to produce functional, load-bearing, mission-critical parts. But in regulated industries like energy, maritime, and defense, there’s a crucial question every procurement team or QA engineer eventually asks: can WAAM parts be certified?
The answer is yes—WAAM parts can meet the same quality, traceability, and compliance standards as traditionally manufactured components. But like all advanced manufacturing methods, it requires the right combination of process control, software, and expertise.
Let’s break down what certification means in a WAAM context, and how MX3D helps companies achieve it.
What Does It Mean to Certify a WAAM Part?
Certification is about proving that a part performs as intended, consistently, and with full accountability. Depending on the industry, this may mean compliance with international standards like:
- ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems
- ASME Section IX: Welding procedure and operator qualifications
- API 6A / 17D: Equipment standards for oil & gas
- DNV / Lloyd’s Register / TÜV: For maritime and offshore applications
For WAAM, certification includes both process qualification and part validation. That means documenting how a part is made—layer by layer—and demonstrating that it meets material, mechanical, and dimensional specs.
How Does MX3D Support Certified WAAM Production?
At MX3D, we’ve designed our technology from the ground up to support repeatable, certifiable manufacturing. Here’s how it works:
- MetalXL Software: Every print is logged in detail—deposition paths, temperatures, speed, feed rates, and more. This data is essential for audits and quality traceability.
- Process Qualification: We support customers in establishing qualified welding procedures (WPS) specific to WAAM. This includes sample builds, destructive testing, and documentation.
- Material Traceability: Our systems are compatible with standard welding wire formats (e.g., 316L, Inconel, Duplex), with full material certification from suppliers.
- Part Validation: After printing, we perform dimensional checks, NDT (if required), and coordinate mechanical testing through partners or labs to validate performance.
Whether you’re buying components from our factory or running your own WAAM system, MX3D ensures the digital and physical traceability needed for certification.
Which Industries Require WAAM Certification?
Certification isn’t always necessary—but when it is, it’s non-negotiable. Here are a few examples:
- Nuclear & Power Generation: Requires ASME IX-qualified welders, material traceability, and thermal control logs.
- Oil & Gas: Subsea parts must comply with API specs and pressure performance standards.
- Maritime & Offshore: Ship structures or mooring components often need Lloyd’s, TÜV, or DNV verification.
- Infrastructure Projects: Bridges or public transport structures often require ISO-certified parts and build documentation.
- Defense: Even non-flight-critical parts must meet strict QA protocols and often require government approvals.
In all these cases, WAAM is already being tested, validated, and integrated into the supply chains of major operators.
What About Post-Processing and Inspection?
Certification doesn’t end when the last layer is printed. WAAM parts often require finish machining for tolerance surfaces, followed by inspection using:
- 3D scanning and dimensional analysis
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) or X-ray (for internal defect detection)
- Metallurgical cross-sections
- Mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, hardness)
At MX3D, we either perform or coordinate these steps with certified partners, depending on your region and project. Every part we deliver to customers—including in the USA, France, the Netherlands, and the UAE—follows a traceable and certifiable workflow.
WAAM Certification Is Here, and Evolving
While powder-bed AM certifications have been in development for a decade, WAAM is catching up quickly. In fact, major standards organizations (like ASTM and ISO/TC 261) are now expanding to include wire-based DED processes like WAAM. The next wave of standardization will likely make it even easier for governments and large OEMs to adopt the technology at scale.
If you’re in a sector where certification is required, the key is not just the machine—it’s the entire digital production chain, from design to deposition to documentation.
In Conclusion, Yes, WAAM Parts Can Be Certified
WAAM is already helping industrial companies around the world build certifiable, reliable metal parts faster—and MX3D is leading the way. Whether you’re installing a WAAM system for your team or ordering certified parts from our factory, we can help you meet the standards that matter.
Looking to produce components that don’t just perform—but prove it? Let’s talk about certifying your next WAAM project.
