TÜV SÜD Japan Ltd.

Company Introduction

TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner of choice for safety, security and sustainability solutions. It specialises in testing, certification, auditing and advisory services. Since 1866, the company has remained committed to its purpose of enabling progress by protecting people, the environment and assets from technology-related risks. Through more than 25,000 employees across over 1,000 locations, it adds value to customers and partners by enabling market access and managing risks. By anticipating technological developments and facilitating change, TÜV SÜD inspires trust in a physical and digital world to create a safer and more sustainable future. 

About Our Additive Manufacturing Business and Products

TÜV SÜD is a German third-party certification body that has been in business for over 150 years. TÜV SÜD provides testing, auditing and certification services for safety and quality in the aerospace, aviation, automotive, rail, industrial equipment, plants, medical device, consumer products and food industries.

In recent years, we have also focused on supporting the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, one of which is our additive manufacturing (AM, 3D printing, additive manufacturing) business. It can be said that TÜV SÜD helps our customers to establish and improve the quality assurance system required for manufacturers of AM products.

While raising expectations for AM as a production technology, many potential customers are still concerned about its quality due to its short history and so many factors to affect quality in AM. Therefore, manufacturers of AM products are required to establish an AM quality assurance system and to maintain its operational capability.

However, it goes without saying that the AM quality assurance system must be objective and reasonable for both the manufacturer and the buyer of the AM product. However, it is not easy for potential customers of AM products to clarify if it is acceptable. The need for something objective and reasonable that works across the entire AM ecosystem has led to the publication and development of AM standards at an international level.

AM experts of TÜV SÜD has much experience in the manufacturing industry and is familiar with the state-of-the-arts in AM technology and standards through its work on standards committees such as ISO/TC 261/JG 75 and DIN CEN/TC 438. We offer the following services in the field of AM quality assurance.

■ AM human development (in Japanese)
・e-learning  / Open training / Private training

■ Support and Advisory for followings
・AM process development / AM quality-related documents / AM design guideline
・AM products purchase guideline

■ AM Center Certification
・Objective proof of QA system and operational competence in accordance with AM standards
・Reduction of man-hours and costs for quality assurance
・Establish QA system to achieve quality and consistency that can be applied to regulated industries

Click here for details: https://www.tuvsud.com/ja-jp/industries/manufacturing/machinery-and-robotics/additive-manufacturing

Future perspective and expectation for the German and Japanese market

The additive manufacturing sector in Japan and in Germany has been growing fast in recent years, especially in the field of serial production where stakeholders have high expectations for the technology’s use. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely had a slowing effect on development on this sector as well, however the advantages of this technology, such asenabling completely new designs to be produced, supply chains to be significantly simplified and backshoring of the production will bring it back on track quickly. The sector’s volume still makes up only a small percentage of the overall manufacturing industry, but the potential is enormous. New applications, the extension of the acceptance of this technology, not only by mainly OEMs but also SMEs will support the growth. And another important aspect should be mentioned here as well: the growth of additive manufacturing could have a large impact on the environment. Producing only the relevant parts means much less waste of materials and thus reduction of the energy for the production of these materials as well. This is a contribution to reduce greenhouse gasand to achieve the 2030 and 2050 climate goals, as well as in general to achieve a sustainable future. 

Message for visitors

In this event, we will give a presentation on three topics that will help you to develop a quality assurance system for AM products.

Part 1 (30mins incl. Q&A, in Japanese): Technical Seminar 1: Improve AM quality with route card
Using examples of AM-specific and mass-production-specific defects, we will explain how route card can change AM quality.

Part 2 (30mins incl. Q&A, in Japanese): Technical Seminar 2: Non-destructive AM quality assurance
Do you think you can't assure AM parts until you've broken it?
Regulated industries with strict quality requirements, such as aerospace, automotive and medical devices are already using AM for final products.
There is process validation as a "non-destructive" approach to quality assurance.

Part 3 (30mins incl. Q&A, in Japanese): Presentation: TÜV SÜD AM Center Certification
How can you implement AM at high quality, high reproducibility and more cost-effectively?
How can you find AM centers who can ensure product quality for AM parts?
There is an approach by using AM standards and 3rd party’s Certification.
TÜV SÜD offers AM Center Certification for the solution.