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 (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) 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 (eg, 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
- : 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.
WAAM Certification & Industry Standards
When integrating large-scale metal 3D printing into critical supply chains, proving component safety, repeatability, and reliability is paramount. At MX3D, we understand that robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) parts must meet the same rigorous regulatory requirements as traditionally forged or cast components.
Navigating WAAM certification involves adhering to strict global standards that govern every step of the production cycle, from verifying material feedstock and qualifying the printing process to conducting non-destructive testing (NDT) and final mechanical validation. Because our multi-axis robotic systems are deployed in highly demanding sectors like maritime, oil and gas, and heavy industry, we have aligned our quality management and production workflows with the world’s leading classification societies.
To help engineering and procurement teams quickly assess our compliance landscape, we have outlined the primary manufacturing standards and regulatory frameworks we operate within. Below is a structured overview of the key certifications applicable to our WAAM technology and final printed components.
| Standard | Scope | MX3D Status |
| DNV-ST-B203 | Additive manufacturing of metallic parts for maritime and offshore applications. | Compliant & Proven (Part production is aligned with DNV frameworks; proven in maritime, naval, and subsea industry cases). |
| ASME BPVC | Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; guidelines for the design, fabrication, and inspection. | Compliant (Material testing and welding procedures follow ASME Section IX guidelines; active in energy & pressure vessel cases). |
| PED (2014/68/EU) | Pressure Equipment Directive; mandatory safety standards for pressure equipment in the EU. | Compliant (Proven fit for heavy industry and energy applications requiring PED compliance). |
| API 20S | Qualification of additively manufactured metallic components for use in Oil & Gas. | Audited & Compliant (Successfully audited for API 20S by Fieldnode; utilized in subsea/energy projects). |
| AWS D20.1 | Specification for the fabrication of metal components using additive manufacturing. | Compliant (Aligned with global welding specifications; custom qualification supported by in-house International Welding Engineers). |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management systems requirements ensure consistent product and service quality. | Certified (Officially audited and certified by DNV). |
| Lloyd’s Register (LRQA) | Facility and process qualification for Additive Manufacturing. | Certified (DED-Arc facility, including the M1 Metal AM system and procedures, officially qualified by LRQA). |
Understanding Our Certification Framework
In large-scale metal additive manufacturing, component certification is typically achieved on a per-part or application-specific basis rather than a blanket approval. While MX3D maintains overarching quality management and facility process qualifications (including ISO 9001 and Lloyd’s Register), compliance with specialized standards, such as DNV for maritime, API for oil and gas, or PED for pressure equipment, involves a targeted qualification process. We collaborate closely with our clients and third-party classification societies to provide full traceability, from EN 10204 compliant feedstock to rigorous non-destructive testing (NDT) and mechanical validation, ensuring your final printed components meet the strictest industry regulations.
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.
