ASTM ISO/ASTM52921-13(2019)

Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing—Coordinate Systems and Test Methodologies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Although many additive manufacturing systems are based heavily upon the principles of Computer Numerical Control (CNC), the coordinate systems and nomenclature specific to CNC are not sufficient to be applicable across the full spectrum of additive manufacturing equipment. This terminology expands upon the principles of ISO 841 and applies them specifically to additive manufacturing. Although this terminology is intended to complement ISO 841, if there should arise any conflict, this terminology shall have priority for additive manufacturing applications. For any issues not covered in this terminology, the principles in ISO 841 may be applied.  
3.2 Furthermore, this terminology does not prescribe the use of any specific existing testing methodologies or standards that practitioners of AM may wish to employ for testing purposes; however, it is expected that practitioners will employ appropriate existing methodologies and standards to test parts made by AM.
SCOPE
1.1 This terminology includes terms, definitions of terms, descriptions of terms, nomenclature, and acronyms associated with coordinate systems and testing methodologies for additive manufacturing (AM) technologies in an effort to standardize terminology used by AM users, producers, researchers, educators, press/media, and others, particularly when reporting results from testing of parts made on AM systems. Terms included cover definitions for machines/systems and their coordinate systems plus the location and orientation of parts. It is intended, where possible, to be compliant with ISO 841 and to clarify the specific adaptation of those principles to additive manufacturing.
Note 1: The applicability of this standard to cladding has to be evaluated. Discussions are under progress.
Note 2: Non-cartesian systems are not covered by this standard.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2019
• ICS: 01.040.25 - Manufacturing engineering (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 25.040.99 - Other industrial automation systems
• ICS: 35.240.50 - IT applications in industry
• Technical Committee: F42 - Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Drafting Committee: F42.01 - Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM ISO/ASTM52921-13 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing-Coordinate Systems and Test Methodologies
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-15 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-13 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM F2792-12a - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies^, (Withdrawn 2015)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2792-12 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies^,
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2012
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-11 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM F2792-10e1 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM F2792-10 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM D638-10 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 15-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM F2792-09e1 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM F2792-09 - Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM D638-03 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM D638-02a - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2002

Overview

ASTM ISO/ASTM52921-13(2019), Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing-Coordinate Systems and Test Methodologies, provides a comprehensive set of standardized terms, definitions, and nomenclature for additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, focusing on coordinate systems and methods used to describe and report part testing. Developed by ASTM International in collaboration with ISO, this terminology standard aims to harmonize communication across the AM community-including users, producers, researchers, educators, and media-by offering clarity and consistency in defining machine and part location, orientation, and testing concepts. The terminology is designed to align with ISO 841, yet it addresses the unique requirements and complexities specific to additive manufacturing systems and processes.

Key Topics

• Coordinate Systems for AM Equipment

  • Defines machine coordinate systems, origins, build platforms, and axes (X, Y, Z) according to principles adapted from ISO 841.
  • Clarifies how coordinate nomenclature differs for AM versus traditional CNC systems due to differences in machine architecture and processes.

• Location and Orientation Terminology

  • Establishes standardized ways to describe the orientation and position of parts within the build volume.
  • Introduces conventions like “arbitrarily oriented minimum bounding box,” “orthogonal orientation notation,” and standardized descriptions of build orientation and reorientation.

• Standardization of Test Methodology Terminology

  • Provides a vocabulary for reporting the results of tests on AM parts.
  • Encourages use of existing test methods (such as ISO 6892, ISO 527, and ASTM D638/E8) while clarifying how to adopt terminology specific to AM.

• Clarity in Reporting and Documentation

  • Emphasizes accurate communication of part geometry, initial build orientation, and reorientation, including when visual depictions are required.
  • Promotes unambiguous description of part locations and orientations for improved consistency in technical publications, quality documentation, and regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Additive Manufacturing Process Documentation

  • Enables consistent and precise reporting for build orientation, part location, and geometry across technical documents, research papers, and quality records.

• Testing and Validation of AM Parts

  • Facilitates clear communication regarding how parts are positioned and tested, enhancing repeatability and comparability in mechanical and material property testing.

• Standardized Communication for AM Stakeholders

  • Assists users, manufacturers, researchers, and educators in adopting shared terminology, reducing confusion and errors in AM project workflows.
  • Streamlines collaboration among multidisciplinary teams by establishing common reference points and definitions.

• Regulatory and Quality Compliance

  • Supports adherence to international standards and guidelines, providing a foundation for quality control and regulatory reporting in industries adopting AM, such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Related Standards

• ISO 841: Industrial automation systems and integration-Numerical control of machines-Coordinate system and motion nomenclature.
• ASTM D638: Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics.
• ASTM E8/E8M: Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials.
• ISO 527 (all parts): Plastics-Determination of tensile properties.
• ISO 6892-1: Metallic materials-Tensile testing-Method of test at room temperature.

These referenced standards provide additional detail on coordinate systems and establish commonly used test methods, complementing the terminology framework defined in ISO/ASTM 52921.

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Keywords: Additive manufacturing standard, coordinate system for 3D printing, AM part orientation, test methodology terminology, ISO/ASTM 52921, machine coordinate terminology, build volume origin, standardization in additive manufacturing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ISO/ASTM 52921:2013 (Reapproved 2019)(E)
Standard Terminology for
Additive Manufacturing—Coordinate Systems and Test
Methodologies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation ISO/ASTM 52921; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.
1. Scope E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
terials
1.1 This terminology includes terms, definitions of terms,
F2792 Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technolo-
descriptions of terms, nomenclature, and acronyms associated
gies (Withdrawn 2015)
withcoordinatesystems and testing methodologies foradditive
2.2 ISO Standard:
manufacturing (AM) technologies in an effort to standardize
ISO 841 Industrial Automation Systems and Integration—
terminology used by AM users, producers, researchers,
Numerical Control of Machines—Coordinate System and
educators, press/media, and others, particularly when reporting
Motion Nomenclature
results from testing of parts made on AM systems. Terms
ISO 527 (all parts), Plastics — Determination of tensile
included cover definitions for machines/systems and their
properties
coordinate systems plus the location and orientation of parts. It
ISO 6892-1 Metallic materials — Tensile testing – Part 1:
is intended, where possible, to be compliant with ISO 841 and
Method of test at room temperature
to clarify the specific adaptation of those principles to additive
manufacturing.
3. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—The applicability of this standard to cladding has to be
3.1 Although many additive manufacturing systems are
evaluated. Discussions are under progress.
NOTE 2—Non-cartesian systems are not covered by this standard.
based heavily upon the principles of Computer Numerical
Control (CNC), the coordinate systems and nomenclature
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
specific to CNC are not sufficient to be applicable across the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
full spectrum of additive manufacturing equipment. This ter-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
minology expands upon the principles of ISO 841 and applies
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
them specifically to additive manufacturing. Although this
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
terminology is intended to complement ISO 841, if there
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
should arise any conflict, this terminology shall have priority
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
for additive manufacturing applications. For any issues not
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
covered in this terminology, the principles in ISO 841 may be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
applied.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2 Furthermore,thisterminologydoesnotprescribetheuse
of any specific existing testing methodologies or standards that
2. Referenced Documents
practitioners of AM may wish to employ for testing purposes;
2.1 ASTM Standards:
however, it is expected that practitioners will employ appro-
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
priate existing methodologies and standards to test parts made
by AM.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F42 on
4. Terminology
Additive Manufacturing Technologies and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
4.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with
mittee F42.01 on Test Methods, and is also under the jurisdiction of ISO/TC 261.
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally
Terminology F2792 and the following:
approved in 2011 as ASTM F2921-11. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as
ISO/ASTM 52921-13
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
© ISO/ASTM International 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM 52921:2013 (2019)(E)
Terms and Definitions—AM Machines and their Coordinate Systems
DISCUSSION—This is a universal origin reserved for the purpose of
build platform, n—of a machine, any base which provides a
identifying the location of parts within the build volume. (See A1.1 and
surface upon which the build is started and supported
A1.2).
throughout the build process (see A1.1).
machine origin, n—origin as defined by the original equip-
DISCUSSION—The machine build platform may be solid or perforated
and made from a wide variety of materials and constructions.
ment manufacturer. Synonyms: machine home, machine zero
point.
DISCUSSION—In some systems the parts are built attached to the build
platform, either directly or through a support structure. In other
Z axis, n—of a machine, for processes employing planar
systems, such as powder bed systems, no direct mechanical fixture
layerwiseadditionofmaterial,shallrunnormaltothelayers.
between the build and the platform may be required.
(See A1.1 and A1.2.)
DISCUSSION—For processes employing planar layerwise addition of
build surface, n—area where material is added, normally on
material, the positive Z shall be the direction from the first layer to the
the last deposited layer which becomes the foundation upon
subsequent layers (see A1.1 and A1.2).
which the next layer is formed.
DISCUSSION—For the first layer the build surface is often the build
DISCUSSION—Where addition of material is possible from multiple
platform.
directions (such as with blown powder systems), the Z axis may be
identified according to the principles in ISO 841 (section 4.3.3) which
DISCUSSION— If the orientation of the material deposition or consoli-
addresses “swiveling or gimballing.”
dationmeans,orboth,isvariable,itmaybedefinedrelativetothebuild
surface (for example, a blown powder head may be kept normal to it.
X axis, n—of a machine, shall run perpendicular to the Z axis
See also Z axis discussion).
andparalleltothefrontofthemachine.(SeeA1.1andA1.2.)
DISCUSSION—Where possible, the X axis shall be horizontal and
front, n—of a machine, shall be designated by the machine
parallel with one of the edges of the build platform.
builder.
DISCUSSION—Generally, this is the side of the machine that the DISCUSSION—The positive X direction shall be from left to right as
operator faces to access the user interface or primary viewing window, viewed from the front of the machine while facing toward the build
or both. (See A1.1). volume origin.
Y axis, n—of a machine, shall run perpendicular to the Z and
machine coordinate system, n—a three-dimensional Carte-
X axes with positive direction defined to make a right hand
sian coordinate system as defined by a fixed point on the
set of coordinates as specified in ISO 841.
build platform “with the three principal axes labeled X, Y,
DISCUSSION—Where possible, the Y axis shall be horizontal and
and Z , with rotary axes about each of theses axes labeled A,
parallel with one of the edges of the build platform.
B, and C , respectively” (see A1.1, A1.2, and A1.3) as stated
in ISO 841.
DISCUSSION—In the most common case of an upwards Z positive
direction, the positive Y direction shall be from the front to the back of
origin, n—a designated reference point at which the three
the machine as viewed from the front of the machine (see A1.1).
primary axes in a Cartesian coordinate system intersect.
DISCUSSION—In the case of building in the downwards Z positive
Synonyms: zero point, or (0, 0, 0) when using X, Y, and Z
direction the positive Y direction shall be from the back of the machine
coordinates.
to the front as viewed from the front of the machine (see A1.2).
build volume origin, n—shall be located at the center of the
build platform fixed on the build facing surface.
Terms and Definitions—Location and Orientation of Parts Within the Build Volume
arbitrarily oriented minimum bounding box, n—of a part, initial build orientation, n—of a part, is the orientation of the
the minimum perimeter cuboid that can span the maximum part as first placed in the build volume and becomes the
extents of the points on the surface of a 3D part calculated reference for any further part reorientation (see A1.6).
DISCUSSION—The initial build orientation is most easily communi-
without any constraints on the resulting orientation of the
cated via 3D computer models (which can be interrogated for part
box (see A1.4 and A1.5).
position and orientation relative to the build volume origin). Where
DISCUSSION—Wherethemanufacturedpartincludesthetestgeometry
practical, the initial build orientation may be designated as the part
plus additional external features (for example, labels, tabs or raised
orientation in the 3D computer model. Without electronic transfer of
lettering), the bounding box may be specified according to the test part
computer models, it should be documented with image(s) of the part(s)
geometry excluding the additional external features if noted.
within the build volume and their orientation relative to the build
volume origin (see A1.6 and A1.7).
geometric center, n—of a bounding box, location at the
arithmeticmiddleoftheboundingboxofthepart.Synonym:
orthogonal orientation notation, n— of a part’s initial build
centroid.
orientation,maybeusedwhentheintendedbuildorientation
DISCUSSION—Thecenteroftheboundingboxmaylieoutsidethepart. for a part is such that its arbitrarily oriented minimum
© ISO/ASTM International 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM 52921:2013 (2019)(E)
bisecting the part perpendicular to the axis of rotational symmetry.
boundingboxisalignedparalleltothe X, Y,and Zaxesofthe
Normally,animageisrequiredtoidentifyinitialbuildorientationwhen
build volume origin (as shown in A1.5(c)). Its orientation
parts have features with less than 360° rotational symmetry (see A1.7).
may be described by listing which axis is parallel to the
longest overall dimension of the bounding box first, fol-
part location, n—within the build volume should be specified
lowed by the axis which is parallel to the second longest
by the X, Y, and Z coordinates for the position of the
overall dimension of the bounding box second, followed by
geometric center of each part’s arbitrarily oriented minimum
the axis which is parallel to the third longest overall
bounding box with respect to the build volume origin (see
dimension of the bounding box.
A1.11 and A1.12).
DISCUSSION—Where finding the arbitrarily oriented minimum bound-
DISCUSSION— For example, a specimen which is placed so that its
ing box is not possible or practical, the coordina
...