Advanced Manufacturing (AM) is integral to establishing and maintaining US manufacturing strength and sustaining   economic competitiveness, and the rate at which AM can be deployed across industries depends strongly on efficient and trusted inspection methodologies and qualification pathways. Rapid advances in computing, AI/ML, data analytics, and nondestructive measurement science now offer opportunities to move beyond traditional, time-intensive inspection methods toward approaches that are more automated, data-driven, and potentially real-time. However, qualification expectations and decision criteria vary across sectors, reflecting different regulatory environments, risk profiles, and application requirements. This diversity underscores the need to convene researchers, end-users, OEMs, and standards and regulatory bodies to align priorities, elucidate assumptions and coordinate efforts.   

A structured framework is needed to assess the state of the art in NDE approaches for AM, identify technology gaps that continue to challenge inspection and qualification of AM parts, and establish clear R&D priorities and progress metrics. The framework should also reflect sector-specific requirements, AM modality differences (e.g., LPBF, DED, etc.), and emerging factors such as AI/ML, digital twins, lifecycle qualification and associated economic and workforce implications. 

Envisioned themes for the workshop include the following: 

• In situ and ex-situ nondestructive examination (NDE) for AM 
• Digital thread/Digital infrastructure for AM and NDE’s role in these 
• Integrating AI/ML, automation, and advanced data analytics with conventional and unconventional NDE approaches 

Outcome – A workshop report will be generated to summarize the input provided by the presentations, discussions, and breakout sessions and to synthesize the input into an overall R&D roadmap.

Registration:

This workshop will be by invitation only. Interested participants are asked to register to express their interest in attending. To express your interest in attending the workshop, please go to “I’m interested in attending” and fill out the form. If accepted, you will receive an invitation for the workshop.

Deadlines: