Sigma Labs, Inc. has announced that it has expanded its PrintRite3D® in-process quality assurance solution to support selective laser sintering (“SLS”) polymer manufacturing and received a purchase order for two PrintRite3D systems to support Polymer 3D Printing which have been shipped to the customer.
“Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D in-process quality assurance system now provides a consistent way to monitor production real-time across 3D printers from different manufacturers, supporting different processes, and now multiple types of materials,” said Mark Ruport, President and CEO of Sigma Labs. “Sigma Labs believes this breakthrough will enable large global manufacturers to manage the quality and consistency of parts manufactured in-house, by contract manufacturers, and throughout their supply chain. Although at this stage the size of the market opportunity for Sigma is difficult to quantify, the initial order for two PrintRite3D systems is a fantastic first step into the polymer segment of the market and demonstrates the need to ensure the quality and consistency of 3D printed parts.”
SLS, a laser powder bed process, is an established technology with high material throughput, and functionality that aligns with production applications in regulated industries. The demand for Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D technology comes from a need to support SLS customer production requirements and growing marketplace demand for real-time in-process quality assurance in additional material types. The enhanced PrintRite3D software will translate the in-process signatures from SLS radiated emissions, allowing for real-time monitoring of the polymer prints. This will provide end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the ability to monitor production and to rapidly detect and identify anomalies and defects, delivering greatly improved quality assurance.
The industrial polymer market is estimated to be about 2.5 times the size of its metal equivalent, according to AMPOWER, one of the worldwide leading independent consultancies focusing on industrial Additive Manufacturing. Approximately 35% of the industrial polymer 3D printers are sold in the United States, with more than 50% of total revenue earned by powder bed fusion suppliers and is expected to grow seven-fold by 2025. Global Market Insights, a market research company, states, “3D printing polymers market share is being significantly propelled by the rising product adoption across myriad industries including healthcare, locomotive, automotive, and aviation.”
