Secure identification of 3D-printed components

Additive Manufacturing Tamper-Proof Like A Fingerprint: Trace 3D-Printed Components

2025-09-08 Source: BAM | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

In additive manufacturing, the secure identification and authentication of components are becoming increasingly important. A team from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has developed a method to identify 3D-printed components based on their machine-readable markings.

The digital object identifier links product data uniquely and tamper-proof to real components.(Image: BAM) — The digital object identifier links product data uniquely and tamper-proof to real components.
(Image: BAM)

A component created through 3D printing contains tiny, randomly distributed microstructures inside—comparable to an individual fingerprint. These features are non-reproducible and serve as a unique identifier. It is precisely these structures that a team from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has utilized in their new technology for tamper-proof authentication.

Using high-resolution 3D micro-computed tomography, these fine structures are made visible. A geometric pattern is calculated from the image data, which is linked to a digital identity—a so-called Digital Object Identifier (DOI)—and stored in a database. During a subsequent inspection, the fingerprint can be compared with the stored one. This creates a tamper-proof link between the physical object and its virtual representation with the manufacturing data.

"Our method does not require any visible markings or interventions in the printing process," explains project leader Anja Waske from BAM. "This makes it particularly secure against manipulation and opens up new possibilities for product verification, logistics, and anti-counterfeiting."

In the Digital Object Identifier for Additive Manufacturing (DOI4AM) project, an end-to-end workflow is being developed to enable the authentication of components as part of a digital product passport. Various materials and geometries are being tested in practical applications and integrated with existing software solutions.

Authentication Integrated Into the Digital Product Passport

The cooperation partner is Additive Marking from Paderborn. The specialists in digital product marking for 3D printing are expanding their Pass-X.eu platform with a new module for the traceability of additively manufactured components. It enables quick access to CT service providers and integrates authentication through microstructures and visualization into the digital product passport.

The developed technology is part of the research activities at BAM’s AM Competence Center, which brings together interdisciplinary research and application-oriented solutions for additive manufacturing. At the same time, the project supports the goals of the Quality Infrastructure Digital (QI-Digital) initiative, which promotes modern, data-driven quality assurance for the industry of tomorrow—focusing on transparency, traceability, and trust along the entire value chain.

DOI4AM is funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) as part of the DATIpilot funding guideline. The goal is to accelerate the transfer of research results into industrial practice and to make innovative technologies quickly available.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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