US-based Sigma Labs Inc, a leading provider of quality assurance and inspection software that specialises in the development of real-time computer-aided inspection software for additive manufacturing (AM), has joined the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.

Established 19 years ago and with headquarters in Santa Fe, Sigma Labs has divisions around the world, including Germany, China, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

As part of its MTC membership, Sigma Labs (www.sigmalabsinc.com) will install its PrintRite 3D Inspect in-process quality monitoring and control technology for the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) at the MTC.

NCAM is home to the European Space Agency’s additive manufacturing benchmarking centre and is the only non-US founding partner in the ASTM AM Centre of Excellence for standardisation.

The in-process quality monitoring and control software uses sensor data that allows manufacturing engineers to get real-time information to avoid rejected parts and improve processes.

John Rice, chief executive of Sigma Labs, said: “As a member of the MTC, Sigma Labs will extend its industry footprint into the research and commercialisation of additive manufacturing.

"With Europe at the forefront of many innovative and major developments in the metal additive manufacturing industry, we believe this agreement holds great promise for us and the future of AM.

"We look forward to interacting with other member companies at the MTC, and particularly to collaborating with researchers at NCAM, to demonstrate the capabilities and potential of our technology.”

MTC technology director Ken Young said: “Quality assurance in additive manufacturing is a critical topic that requires significant attention.

"Gaining insights into 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 relating to this topic will provide expertise for a number of the MTC’s projects.”