Sigma Labs, Inc. Announces Publication of Multi-Sensor Quality Inference and Control Patent for Additive Manufacturing Proces...
July 20 2017 - 4:15PM
Sigma Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGLB) (“Sigma Labs” or the “Company”), a
provider of quality assurance software under the PrintRite3D®
brand, today announced the June 30, 2016 publication of its U.S.
Patent Application No. US 2016/0185048; Multi-Sensor Quality
Inference and Control For Additive Manufacturing Processes. This
patent application is related to real-time quality analysis during
additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the characterization of
material properties using acoustic signals emitted during AM which
can be used in addition to optical signals to simplify the
qualification of printed parts.
It also encompasses a multi-sensor quality
inference system for additive manufacturing that is capable of
discerning and addressing three quality issues: i) process
anomalies, or extreme unpredictable process events uncorrelated to
process inputs; ii) process variations, or difference between
desired process parameters and actual operating conditions; and
iii) material structure and properties, or the quality of the
resultant material created by the AM process. It further embodies
the use of the gathered sensor data to evaluate and control
additive manufacturing operations in real time.
Mark Cola, CEO of Sigma Labs stated, “We are at
the forefront of a new era in additive manufacturing and are very
pleased to announce the publication of this patent which evidences
our leadership in real time process control capabilities. Crucial
to our continued growth and emerging market leadership is securing
our intellectual property portfolio. The publication of this patent
application further serves these goals.”
Sigma Lab’s application, which has a priority
date of November 18, 2014, describes how optical sensors can be
used to measure oscillations (e.g., greater than 1,000 Hz) in the
melt pool and that these readings could be augmented by
artificially illuminating the melt pool with a laser to help
collect specular reflections that include oscillation frequency
information. This application also describes how an acoustic sensor
can be used to acoustically monitor a build process by listening
for micro-cracking occurring as a workpiece is being built and may
be used to eliminate post-build quality control processes such as
CT scanning which adds an extra process to production and can be
quite time intensive.
The use of acoustic characterization during AM
operations may be becoming a widespread technique in the AM
industry. As previously reported
(https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/ge-publishes-patents-powder-bed-fusion-acoustic-monitoring-processes-qualify-metal-3d-printed-parts-114989/),
GE has filed patent applications related to acoustic monitoring
methods (US 2017/0146488 and US 2017/0146489). The GE
applications were filed with the Patent Office one day after Sigma
Labs’ application.
Sigma Labs is an industry leader in the field of
In-Process Quality Assurance for Metal-based AM Processes and is
actively protecting new developments and innovation, including
acoustic characterization techniques.
About Sigma Labs, Inc. Sigma
Labs, Inc. is a provider of quality assurance software under the
PrintRite3D® brand and a developer of advanced, in-process,
non-destructive quality assurance software for commercial firms
worldwide seeking productive solutions for advanced manufacturing.
For more information please visit us at
www.sigmalabsinc.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis
press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by
or that otherwise include the words “believe,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “prospects,”
“outlook,” and similar words or expressions, or future or
conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and
“could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical
facts. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any anticipated results, performance or
achievements. The Company disclaims any intention to, and
undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, a future event, or
otherwise. For additional risks and uncertainties that could impact
the Company’s forward-looking statements, please see the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K (including but not limited to the
discussion under “Risk Factors” therein) filed with the SEC on
March 31, 2017 and which may be viewed
at http://www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Contact:
Bret Shapiro
Managing Director
CORE IR
561-479-8566
brets@coreir.com
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