Sigma Labs, Inc. Announces Publication of Multi-Sensor Quality Inference and Control Patent for Additive Manufacturing Processes

SANTA FE, N.M., July 20, 2017 -- 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 Statements
This 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.

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