Sigma Labs joins UK’s MTC to advance industrialisation of Additive Manufacturing with in-process quality control
February 27, 2019
Sigma Labs, Inc., a provider of Additive Manufacturing quality assurance software headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, has become a member of the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) based at Ansty Park, Coventry. Through its membership, Sigma Labs will provide expertise and solutions for a number of the centre’s projects, as well as gaining access to existing MTC’s members, including some of the UK’s leading aerospace companies.
The MTC was established as part of the UK government’s national manufacturing strategy with the aim of bridging the gap between academic discoveries and real-time industry innovation. It houses some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, providing integrated manufacturing system solutions for customers across sectors that include automotive, aerospace, rail, construction/civil engineering, oil & gas and defense.
“The MTC manufacturing research centre model uses public and private funding to bring academia and industry together, to pursue challenging, industrially relevant development projects,” stated John Rice, CEO of Sigma Labs. “As a member of the MTC, Sigma Labs will extend its industry footprint further into the exciting research and commercialisation in Additive Manufacturing today. With Europe at the forefront of many innovative and major developments in the metal AM industry, we believe this agreement, our second major research alliance with a European centre of excellence, holds great promise for us and the future of AM. We look forward to interacting with the other member companies in the MTC, and particularly to collaborating with researchers at the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing to demonstrate the capabilities and potential of the PrintRite3D® INSPECT® technology.”
MTC technology director Ken Young added, “I am delighted to welcome Sigma Labs to the MTC community. Quality assurance in Additive Manufacturing is a critical topic that requires significant attention. Gaining insights into the part quality during the Additive Manufacturing build process reduces effort for post-build inspection and ultimately provides the foundation for closed loop process control for improved robustness. Sigma Labs’ advanced capabilities on this topic will provide expertise for a number of the MTC’s projects and network with our membership base, focusing on qualification and certification of the additive manufacturing process.”
Sigma Labs will install its PrintRite3D® INSPECT® In-Process Quality Monitoring and Control technology at the MTC’s National Centre for Additive Manufacturing and participate in various member-sponsored programs with a focus on qualification and certification of the Additive Manufacturing process.
