Sigma Labs Creates New Directed Energy Deposition Application
A partnership with Northwestern University expands in-process quality assurance technology across a broad array of 3d printing processes.
Posted: December 2, 2020
Sigma Labs, Inc. (Santa Fe) announced a newly formed partnership for the development and expansion of its industry leading PrintRite3D In-Process Quality Assurance technology for an application to powder-blow Directed Energy Deposition (DED) additive processes. Sigma Labs has developed the hardware and software and will validate the technology in partnership with Northwestern University, which acquired the first PrintRite3D DED system.
The beta system will be installed onto the customized open-architecture DED system, named Additive Rapid Prototyping Instrument (ARPI) system located at Northwestern’s Advanced Manufacturing Processes Laboratory (AMPL). Sigma Labs is seeking additional commercial DED machine OEM partners to expand the beta testing program.
DED has been successfully applied in various industries, including aerospace, oil & gas, defense, marine and architecture. Aerospace manufacturers are increasingly using the technology to produce structural parts for satellites and military aircraft. According to “Autonomous Manufacturing,” Lockheed Martin was able to use the technology to reduce production time on a critical component by 87% and cut lead-time from two years to three months.
“OEM’s have seen an increase in demand of the directed energy deposition machine ranging from high-level R&D projects to the production of prototype and production parts, many of which are for the aerospace industry,” said Mark Ruport, CEO of Sigma Labs. “This initiative expands our market opportunity and is the first step in Sigma’s strategy to apply our technology across a broad array of additive manufacturing processes.”
