Sigma Labs, Inc., a provider of quality assurance software under the PrintRite3D brand, and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT), based in Hamburg, Germany, announced a collaborative research and development agreement, focusing on the industrialization of additive manufacturing. John Rice, CEO of Sigma Labs, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann, Managing Director of Fraunhofer IAPT, signed the agreement during the recent Formnext 2018 trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.

“The aim of this collaboration is to test and validate the use of the PrintRite3D system to identify and quantify machine and process inconsistencies as well as flag defect thermal signatures during the laser melting process, and correlate them to CT scan results,” Mr. Rice said. “Ultimately, this will allow users to reduce scrap, increase productivity and reduce post-process inspection costs.”

“There is a clear demand for independent process monitoring systems for Additive Manufacturing within the industry. Therefore we are looking forward to cooperating with Sigma Labs on the further development of their technology,” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Emmelmann said.

Sigma Labs
www.sigmalabsinc.com

Fraunhofer IAPT
www.iapt.fraunhofer.de