Keeping an eye on quality and safety standards
regulation of the quality of materials
Energy equipment has very high standards for the quality and performance of the materials utilized, and the raw materials used in metal 3D printing must also fulfill these standards. Companies must make sure that the metal powders or wires they utilize have a constant chemical composition, purity, and particle size distribution, according to regulatory agencies. For instance, in the field of nuclear energy, the amount of impurities in the metals used to make important parts of reactors must be kept at very low levels so that they don't corrode or stop working in conditions with high temperatures, high pressures, and powerful radiation. Businesses need to have quality certification certificates for their raw materials, such as reports on the composition of the materials and tests of their mechanical performance. They also need to run spot checks on the raw materials on a regular basis to make sure they always match the standards.
Controlling the quality of the production process
The process of making metal 3D printing is complicated since it involves many factors and connections. If there is a mistake in any of these connections, it could cause problems with the quality of the result. The government wants businesses to put up a good quality control system for their manufacturing processes and keep a close eye on things like the settings on printing equipment, the temperature and humidity of the printing environment, the thickness and accuracy of the printing layers, and so on. For instance, when making aeronautical energy equipment, changes in temperature during the printing process might change the materials' microstructure and mechanical properties. So, the printing equipment's heating and cooling systems need to be controlled very carefully, and different parameters need to be recorded in real time during the printing process. Companies also need to do non-destructive testing on printed materials, such X-ray testing and ultrasonic testing, to find internal flaws and make sure that the quality of the product fulfills safety standards.
Certification of the quality of the finished product
Before they can be used, the metal 3D printed parts of energy equipment must pass the right quality tests. Mechanical performance testing, corrosion resistance testing, fatigue performance testing, and other tests are usually part of the certification standards, however they may be different in different nations and areas. For instance, the American Petroleum Institute (API) needs to certify metal 3D printed parts used to make drilling equipment in the oil and gas industry to show that they can handle tough conditions downhole. To get recognized by certification authorities, businesses must follow certification requirements and thoroughly test and evaluate their finished products. They must also offer full testing results.
Supervision of environmental protection
Getting Rid of Trash
When you 3D print metal, you'll end up with some waste, including metal powder that wasn't used and parts that didn't print correctly. If these wastes aren't handled correctly, they could pollute the environment. Businesses must set up a good waste management system to sort, collect, store, and get rid of garbage, as required by the regulatory authorities. To cut down on resource waste and pollution, metal powders can be recycled and reused. Waste that has toxic substances in it must be treated in a way that doesn't hurt the environment, according to the rules. For example, certain kinds of waste that include heavy metals need to be sent to expert environmental treatment firms so that they don't pollute land and water sources.
Controlling energy use and emissions
Metal 3D printing machines usually use a lot of energy and might make pollution like exhaust gas and wastewater when they are printing. To cut down on energy use and pollution, regulatory bodies urge businesses to take steps to save energy and cut down on emissions. Companies can, for instance, improve the energy efficiency of their printing equipment by optimizing its operating parameters; install equipment to treat exhaust gases to make sure they meet emission standards; and recycle wastewater to cut down on water waste. At the same time, businesses need to keep an eye on their energy use and pollution emissions on a regular basis and let regulatory bodies check on them.
Protecting Data and Intellectual Property Overseeing
Protecting Intellectual Property
3D printing with metal uses a lot of intellectual property, like design drawings and process data. Metal 3D printing technology may be very useful and important for business in the energy industry for some crucial pieces of equipment. Regulatory agencies want businesses to be more aware of how to protect their intellectual property and take steps to stop it from leaking or being used without permission. Companies can, for instance, have employees sign confidentiality agreements to encrypt, store, and send information on intellectual property rights. They can also set up an intellectual property management system to register, keep track of, and manage their own intellectual property rights. At the same time, regulators will also step up their efforts to stop people from stealing intellectual property and keep the market in order.
Supervision of data security
There is a lot of information involved in metal 3D printing, such as design data, production data, quality inspection data, and more. The safety and stability of the energy industry and the creation and operation of businesses depend on the security of this data. To protect the security and integrity of data, regulatory agencies require businesses to set up a complete data security management system, categorize and manage data, and use techniques like access control, encrypted storage, backup and recovery, and others. Companies can limit employees' access to sensitive data, back up data on a regular basis, and stop data loss or tampering, for example. Companies also need to follow data security rules, like the Cybersecurity Law, and have their data security checked by government agencies.
Supervision of personnel qualifications and training
Requirements for professional qualifications
Metal 3D printing in the energy industry needs to be operated and managed by trained professionals. Regulatory bodies say that anybody who work with metal 3D printing must have the right skills and certifications. For instance, technicians who work with printing equipment need to get professional training and get the right operation certificates. Similarly, people who are in charge of quality inspection and certification need to have the right professional knowledge and experience, as well as the right qualification certificates. Companies must make sure that their workers have the right skills and qualifications to meet the rules.
Training and learning all the time
Metal 3D printing technology is always getting better, and the regulations for the energy business are always changing. Companies need to keep training and educating their personnel so they can learn the newest technology and information. The authorities in charge of regulation want businesses to hold internal training and technical exchange events to help their workers become better at their jobs and more professional. For example, businesses can routinely send employees to industry seminars, technical training courses, and other events where experts deliver talks and advice. This way, employees can stay up to date on the newest news and trends in their field.
https://www.china-3dprinting.com/metal-3d-printing/slm-3d-printing-holder.html