ASTM ISO/ASTM52915-20

Specification for additive manufacturing file format (AMF) Version 1.2

ABSTRACT
This specification provides a framework for an interchange format to address the current and future needs of the additive manufacturing technology. The additive manufacturing file (AMF) may be prepared, displayed, and transmitted on paper or electronically, provided the requirements presented in this specification are met. When prepared in a structured electronic format, strict adherence to an extensible markup language (XML) schema is required to support standards-compliant interoperability.
SCOPE
1.1 This document provides the specification for the Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF), an interchange format to address the current and future needs of additive manufacturing technology.  
1.2 This document specifies the requirements for the preparation, display and transmission for the AMF. When prepared in a structured electronic format, strict adherence to an extensible markup language (XML)(1)2 schema supports standards-compliant interoperability.
Note 1: A W3C XML schema definition (XSD) for the AMF is available from ISO from http://standards.iso.org/iso/52915 and from ASTM from www.astm.org/MEETINGS/images/amf.xsd. An implementation guide for such an XML schema is provided in Annex A1.  
1.3 It is recognized that there is additional information relevant to the final part that is not covered by the current version of this document. Suggested future features are listed in Annex A2.  
1.4 This document does not specify any explicit mechanisms for ensuring data integrity, electronic signatures and encryptions.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 25.040.99 - Other industrial automation systems
• ICS: 35.240.50 - IT applications in industry
• Technical Committee: F42 - Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Drafting Committee: F42.04 - Design

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 52915:2020(E)
Specification for
1
additive manufacturing file format (AMF) Version 1.2
This standard is issued under the fixed designation ISO/ASTM 52915; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.
INTRODUCTION
This document describes an interchange format to address the current and future needs of additive
manufacturing technology. For the last three decades, the stereolithography (STL) file format has been
the industry standard for transferring information between design programs and additive manufac-
turing equipment. An STL file defines only a surface mesh and has no provisions for representing
color, texture, material, substructure and other properties of the fabricated object. As additive
manufacturing technology is evolving quickly from producing primarily single-material, homoge-
neous objects to producing geometries in full color with functionally defined gradations of materials
and microstructures, there is a growing need for a standard interchange file format that can support
these features.
The Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF) has many benefits. It describes an object in such
a general way that any machine can build it to the best of its ability, and as such is technology
independent. It is easy to implement and understand, scalable and has good performance. Crucially,
it is both backwards compatible, allowing any existing STL file to be converted, and future
compatible, allowing new features to be added as advances in technology warrant.
1. Scope 1.4 This document does not specify any explicit mecha-
nisms for ensuring data integrity, electronic signatures and
1.1 This document provides the specification for the Addi-
encryptions.
tive Manufacturing File Format (AMF), an interchange format
to address the current and future needs of additive manufac-
2. Normative references
turing technology.
2.1 There are no normative references in this document.
1.2 This document specifies the requirements for the
preparation, display and transmission for the AMF. When
3. Terms and definitions
prepared in a structured electronic format, strict adherence to
2
an extensible markup language (XML)(1) schema supports
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and
standards-compliant interoperability. definitions apply.
NOTE 1—A W3C XML schema definition (XSD) for the AMF is
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in
available from ISO from http://standards.iso.org/iso/52915 and from
standardization at the following addresses:
ASTM from www.astm.org/MEETINGS/images/amf.xsd. An implemen-
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://
tation guide for such an XML schema is provided in Annex A1.
www.iso.org/obp
1.3 It is recognized that there is additional information
– IEC Electropedia: available at http://
relevant to the final part that is not covered by the current
www.electropedia.org/
version of this document. Suggested future features are listed
3.1 AMF consumer
in Annex A2.
software reading (parsing) the Additive Manufacturing File
Format (AMF) file for fabrication, visualization or analysis
Note1toentry:AMFfilesaretypicallyimportedbyadditive
1
This International Standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F42
manufacturing equipment, as well as viewing, analysis and
on Additive Manufacturing Technologies and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F42.04 on Design, and is also under the jurisdiction of ISO/TC 261,
verification software.
Additive manufacturing, on the basis of a partnership agreement between ISO and
3.2 AMF editor
ASTM International with the aim to create a common set of ISO/ASTM standards
on Additive Manufacturing.
software reading and rewriting the Additive Manufacturing
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally
File Format (AMF) file for conversion
published as ASTM F2915-11. Last previous edition ISO/ASTM 52915-16.
2
Note 1 to entry:AMF editor applications are used to convert
TheboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertotheBibliographyattheendofthis
standard. an AMF from one form to another, for example, convert all
© ISO/ASTM International 2020 – All rights reserved
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ISO/ASTM 52915:2020(E)
curved triangles to flat triangles or convert porous material format described in this document, the AMF, is designed to
specification into an explicit mesh surface. address the concerns listed in 4.1.2 to 4.1.7.
4.1.2 Technology independence—The AMF describes an
3.3 AMF producer
object in such a general way that any machine can build it to
software writing (generating)
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
ISO/ASTM 52915:2016(E)
ISO/ASTM 52915 − 2020(E)
Standard Specification for
Additive Manufacturing File Formatadditive manufacturing
1
file format (AMF) Version 1.2
This standard is issued under the fixed designation ISO/ASTM 52915; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.
INTRODUCTION
This International Standard document describes an interchange format to address the current and
future needs of additive manufacturing technology. For the last three decades, the stereolithography
(STL) file format has been the industry standard for transferring information between design programs
and additive manufacturing equipment. An STL file defines only a surface mesh and has no provisions
for representing colour,color, texture, material, substructure and other properties of the fabricated
object. As additive manufacturing technology is evolving quickly from producing primarily single-
material, homogeneous objects to producing geometries in full colourcolor with functionally-defined
functionally defined gradations of materials and microstructures, there is a growing need for a standard
interchange file format that can support these features.
The additiveAdditive Manufacturing File Format (AMF) has many benefits. It describes an object
in such a general way that any machine can build it to the best of its ability, and as such is technology
independent. It is easy to implement and understand, scalable and has good performance. Crucially,
it is both backwards compatible, allowing any existing STL file to be converted, and future
compatible, allowing new features to be added as advances in technology warrant.
1. Scope
1.1 This International Standard document provides the specification for the Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF), an
interchange format to address the current and future needs of additive manufacturing technology.
1.2 The AMF may be prepared, displayed and transmitted provided the requirements of this specification are met. This document
specifies the requirements for the preparation, display and transmission for the AMF. When prepared in a structured electronic
2
format, strict adherence to an extensible markup language (XML)(1) schema is required to support supports standards-compliant
interoperability.
1.3 A W3C XML schema definition (XSD) for the AMF is available from ISO from http://standards.iso.org/iso/52915 and from
ASTM from www.astm.org/MEETINGS/images/amf.xsd. An implementation guide for such an XML schema is provided in
Annex A1.
NOTE 1—A W3C XML schema definition (XSD) for the AMF is available from ISO from http://standards.iso.org/iso/52915 and from ASTM from
1
This International Standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F42.04 on Design, and is also under the jurisdiction of ISO/TC 261. 261, Additive manufacturing, on the basis of a partnership agreement between ISO and ASTM
International with the aim to create a common set of ISO/ASTM standards on Additive Manufacturing.
Current edition approved Oct. 19, 2015May 1, 2020. Published AprilAugust 20202016. Originally published as ASTM F2915-11. Last previous edition ISO/ASTM
52915-13.52915-16.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the Bibliography at the end of this standard.
© ISO/ASTM International 2020 – All rights reserved
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/ASTM 52915:2020(E)
www.astm.org/MEETINGS/images/amf.xsd. An implementation guide for such an XML schema is provided in Annex A1.
1.3 It is recognized that there is additional information relevant to the final part that is not covered by the current version of this
International Standard. document. Suggested future features are listed in Annex A2.
1.4 This International Standard document does not specify any explicit mechanisms for ensuring data integrity, electronic
signatures,signatures and encryptions.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions: For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1.1 AMF consumer—software reading (parsing) the Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF) file for fabrication,
visualization or analysis.
2.1.1.1 Discussion—
AMF files are typically imported by additive manufacturing equipment, as well as viewing, analysis and verification software.
2.1.2 AMF editor—software reading and rewriting the Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF) file for conversion.
2.1.2.1 Discussion—
AMF editor
...