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This is good, I will ask in what quarter we will see the revenue in the 10-Q.
Thanks.
Doc,
Thanks. This is good news. I hope they put this info into a press release.
Did they mention any numbers on the number of 2014 production units already sold?
I find it hard to believe that they have not made a big deal out of selling their 2014 production units.
"We are pleased to announce that almost all of our first year production units have been reserved and that we have begun taking orders for 2015,"
Makes me wonder if reserved = sold. I still get a funny feeling about this.
I plan to stop by the booth tomorrow and ask a few questions.
I did not feel it was worthy of a press conference, but when it is all that you got, you got to make it look like more than it is.
News - Yes. Really good news - No.
We need an order for systems to prove that the Echo Drive is a system that the market place feels adds value.
Until we get a real order for a sizable amount of systems, this stock will move sideways.
I just returned from the Truck Show and am now glad that I did not hang around for the press release. Now that I read it, it is much less than I hoped for.
Just heard about the 3D adaptation of current products. You can expect a lot of action very soon.
I plan to get in at the market opening.
GLTA!
Here are the details of the buy:
$0.135.......735,687......OTO......15:54:31
3D Printing Promises to Revolutionize Defense, Aerospace Industries
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2014/March/Pages/3DPrintingPromisestoRevolutionizeDefense,AerospaceIndustries.aspx
New manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, have gained worldwide attention for creating everything from entire houses to guns. While used for many novel purposes, the defense and aerospace industry is eyeing it as a way to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Three-D printing shakes up the traditional process of manufacturing — which takes raw materials and subtracts from it by whittling or drilling — by adding layers of a substance, often a polymer or metal, to create an object. The method, which is also known as additive manufacturing, only requires a user to download a blueprint to the printer. Because the process uses fewer materials, it can save companies money as well as allow them to create parts on the fly, according to industry technologists.
As printers become smaller and less expensive, the defense and aerospace industry stand to glean major cost savings from the technology. Using more advanced printers and metal-based substances, companies are looking to manufacture hard-to-make items, such as brackets and tools for multi-million dollar programs ranging from satellites to jet fighters, according to experts interviewed.
Printers can now make advanced parts for aircraft engines, said Hugh Evans, vice president of corporate development and ventures for 3D Systems, a Rock Hill, S.C.-based additive manufacturing company.
The aerospace industry is adopting additive manufacturing “at a very fast rate because you can 3D print aircraft engine parts and take weight out,” Evans said at a Council on Foreign Relations panel on the topic in Washington, D.C.
General Electric and Rolls-Royce recently announced they will begin using 3D printing to manufacture certain engine components.
General Electric has been funneling millions of dollars into 3D printing technology for years, said Steve Rengers, the lead of General Electric Aviation’s research and development group.
In 2012, the company acquired Morris Technologies and its sister company Rapid Quality Manufacturing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both companies specialized in additive manufacturing.
Since then, General Electric has been working to incorporate 3D printing into its products, Rengers told National Defense. It turned the Cincinnati facilities into its Additive Development Center, where engineers test out applications for the technology, he said.
“We are the research arm of GE as far as additive goes,” said Rengers.
Additive manufacturing will be a component of General Electric’s forthcoming LEAP engine. The engine — which is being built by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and Snecma, a French aerospace company — will include 19 3D-printed fuel nozzles each, Rengers said.
To make the fuel nozzle without additive manufacturing, multiple parts would have to be separately created and fused together, he said.
“In our case … 20 pieces would have to be made and then joined … to get this complex assembly,” said Rengers. With additive manufacturing, “we are able to do that in one shot on a machine, so it makes things a lot easier. There is a lot less risk involved with that assembly.”
The engines are slated to enter production in 2016 and are being marketed toward the commercial aviation industry.
The pieces are created using a type of 3D printing known as direct metal laser sintering, which uses super metal alloys to manufacture objects layer by layer.
“Because you’re doing something one layer at a time, you can essentially build in elaborate passages into your product,” said Rengers. “It opens up design freedoms. ... You’re able to produce designs and components that you could never do with traditional manufacturing.”
Besides fuel nozzles, General Electric is also looking at printing about a dozen components and using 3D printed parts in its other engines, Rengers said. He would not disclose which parts the company is considering.
Three-D printing is revolutionizing the aerospace industry, Rengers said. “We believe it is a … game changer, and it will allow engines to run more efficiently in the future. … We envision performance benefits, cost savings and fuel savings.”
Today, the 3D printing market is worth $3 billion, Evans said. He predicted it would increase tenfold to $30 billion over the next decade.
Additive manufacturing started in the late 1980s but has only gained worldwide notoriety in the past several years, said Rob Gorham, deputy director for technology development at America Makes, a Youngstown, Ohio-based additive manufacturing institute.
Low-cost 3D printers have brought the manufacturing process into the limelight as hobbyists latched on, he said. There is more access to the technology than ever, he said.
“It’s a fact that the very large capital requirements that were required to really take advantage of these processes … have come down so much that basically anyone can operate these processes,” he said. “The ability to manufacture goods and services is not on the very large, multi-billion dollar corporation level anymore. It has actually entered into the homes of individuals.”
Now more defense and aerospace companies are embracing the technology as well, though they use more advanced and expensive systems that can cost $500,000 to $1 million each, he said.
The evolution of 3D printing has gone through four steps, Gorham said. In the early days, it was used for making models of prototypes. Then it allowed parts to be tested in systems, which is called “functional prototyping.” After that, it was used to make complex tools. Now it can make functional parts, he said.
As time goes on, the prices of even advanced printers will continue to drop, he said, which will fuel more innovation in the defense and aerospace market.
There are numerous processes that fall underneath the additive manufacturing umbrella, Gorham said. Some techniques include direct laser metal sintering, electron beam melting and fused deposition modeling, all of which have differing finishes, durability and size capabilities.
America Makes started as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute in 2012. It was created after President Barack Obama called for an emerging manufacturing technology institute to be created that same year. The public-private institute is led by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, which won an initial $30 million award in federal funding to kick-start the center.
America Makes now works to help industry and government advance 3D printing, said Gorham. It is currently working on 22 separate projects and engaging with dozens of different companies.
As the technology progresses, the future is bright for additive manufacturing, he said.
“We want to continue to mature because we know it’s a viable alternative to [traditional] manufacturing processes. We fully expect it to further integrate itself into … design solutions,” Gorham said.
Lockheed Martin Corp. is embracing additive manufacturing, said Steve Betza, corporate director of hardware engineering and advanced manufacturing at the company.
“We are aggressively deploying additive manufacturing … across all of our business areas,” said Betza. “We do see great innovation with purpose and an entire family of applications.”
Lockheed is currently using 3D-printed parts for satellite manufacturing. Printed parts are already onboard the solar-powered Juno spacecraft heading to Jupiter. The craft was launched in 2011, and is expected to arrive in July 2016.
There are a dozen 3D-printed brackets on Juno, said Suraj Rawal, a fellow and principal research scientist at Lockheed. The brackets are made out of titanium alloy and were made through an additive manufacturing process known as electron beam melting, he said.
Lockheed plans to use 3D printing in other spacecraft programs, including the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, said Rawal. They already have begun making prototypes of certain parts, including a forward bay cover that is 7-feet in diameter, he said.
The forward bay cover is one of the largest parts ever printed in the aerospace industry, Rawal said. While just a prototype for now, it is currently under consideration for use in production.
The Orion is envisioned as a vehicle to transport humans into deep space, where they can explore asteroids, the moon and Mars.
Additive manufacturing is ideal for this type of experimental manufacturing, Betza said.
“It’s a very safe, productive environment to be doing prototyping of components,” he said.
Lockheed is also considering using printed parts on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, said Betza.
Some small components made out of titanium could be put in the wings or tail of future F-35s, he said. The parts are currently under evaluation, he noted.
Lockheed is also considering using 3D printing for other programs, said Rawal.
“We continue to invest in more and more parts using additive manufacturing,” he said. “The parts are already moving as we speak.”
The Boeing Co. has also integrated 3D printing into some of its aircraft, company officials said.
“We see additive manufacturing for metals as a key discriminator for not only giving ourselves a competitive advantage relative to our competitors, but also the savings cost,” said David Dietrich, the company’s research and technology lead engineer for additive manufacturing in metals.
Polymer-based air ducts created through additive manufacturing are already on board the F/A-18 Super Hornet, said Michael Hayes, Boeing’s research and technology lead engineer for additive manufacturing in polymers.
“We’ve been doing it for the Super Hornet since the beginning,” he said.
The company is also using 3D printing to make satellite brackets, said Dietrich. He declined to specify which spacecraft.
“You need a lot of design functionality for a really tight little space in a satellite where every square inch and every pound in a satellite costs an enormous amount,” he said.
Additive manufacturing allows engineers to create complex brackets that are able to fit inside these small spaces. Instrumentation, such as sensors, can then be added, he said.
Boeing’s 3D printed brackets were first demonstrated three years ago and continue to be developed, he noted.
Additive manufacturing has also made a big splash in the area of tooling, Dietrich said. Using 3D printing, engineers in assembly factories can print out customized tools that help with the manufacturing of complex items, he said.
One of the best features of 3D printing is the ability to experiment, said Hayes.
Additive manufacturing suits small-scale, rapid production innovation.
“If you combine those two attributes … you come into this kind of fertile ground,” he said. “It’s a great area for new technologies.”
In the future, entire unmanned aerial vehicles could be printed, he said.
“[UAVs] are a great component. It’s a great platform, and there is no doubt about it. It’s a … low production volume, you’re not cranking out 10,000 of them,” Hayes said.
But don’t expect entire 3D printed airplanes any time soon.
“It’s a very interesting technology. It’s very fun. It’s a big step. … [But] it doesn’t replace traditional manufacturing. It’s just another tool in our toolbox to use and allow us to do different things that we haven’t been able to do in the past,” Hayes said. “We’re still going to make airplanes the same way for quite a long time until things really, really advance.”
One roadblock for a potential 3D-printed airplane is glass for the windshield. Additive manufacturing cannot make that right now, Dietrich said.
Cost is also a factor. Additive manufacturing is useful when it comes to complex items, but it is not always the most efficient or inexpensive way to create an item, he said.
“It’s a more customizable way to make things, not necessarily a cheaper way to make things,” said Dietrich.
Hayes said: “It’s really hard to beat the cost of aluminum sheet metal. That’s your competition. … It’s a pretty low price.”
Besides aerospace, other transportation industries will soon adopt 3D printing, Evans said. Printed engine parts for cars, trains and helicopters are around the corner.
“Anything that moves in transportation is going to have a 3D printing input because you can take weight out of the design,” Evans said. “Weight is gold in transportation fuel savings.”
ECHO AUTOMOTIVE GROWS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WITH LEGGETT & PLATT CVP
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/echo-automotive-grows-distribution-network-with-leggett-platt-cvp-2014-03-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp
-- Partnership Adds One-Stop Convenience of Ship-Thru to EchoDrive Install Options
Scottsdale, AZ--(MARKETWIRE-March 5, 2014) - Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU) ("Echo Automotive", "Echo" or the "Company") a developer of technologies enabling the cost-effective aftermarket addition of fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid capability to new or existing vehicles, today announced the signing of a distribution and installation agreement with Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products (CVP), an industry-leading commercial vehicle equipment provider and upfitter.
"CVP has an impressive history of aligning with innovative technology companies and OEMs to deliver meaningful products and services to commercial fleets," said Jason Plotke, Echo Automotive Chairman and President. "The company's ship-thru and custom upfitting capabilities enhance the value and convenience we can offer EchoDrive customers, especially those in need of a one-stop solution for adding new, fuel-efficient vehicles to their fleets. This partnership supports our business strategy, widens our distribution and installation footprint, and makes it even easier for fleets to adopt EchoDrive. We are very pleased to be working with CVP."
"Echo has created a non-intrusive plug-in hybrid system that can deliver hard-dollar cost savings for 10 years," said John Forest, Vice President of Install Operations, Leggett & Platt CVP. "The EchoDrive technology, and the economic value it offers, is impressive - fleets can increase fuel efficiency by 50%. We are excited to add this plug-in hybrid option to our alternative fuels portfolio and our ship-thru services. EchoDrive gives us another powerful tool to meet the unique needs of our fleet customers."
CVP will begin accepting orders for the EchoDrive system later this year, and will offer Echo-certified installation of the EchoDrive system for new vehicles beginning first quarter of 2015.
About Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU)
Echo Automotive is a technology company that specializes in delivering cost-effective electrification products and solutions that are purpose-built to maximize fleet transportation efficiency and provide optimal return on investment. The key to Echo's strategy is the bolt-on nature of its solutions, which reduce operating costs and increase efficiency without affecting original vehicle operations. Additionally, Echo offers technology licensing, and consulting in design, energy storage, propulsion, conversions, and vehicle engineering. For more information, please visit www.echoautomotive.com.
About Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products
Leggett & Platt CVP is a division of global diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Inc. (NYSE: LEG). Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Leggett & Platt CVP is a family of companies that provides a single source for commercial vehicle needs. Through its brands Leggett & Platt CVP designs, manufacturers and installs commercial vehicle interior systems, truck equipment and accessories. The Leggett & Platt CVP family of companies includes 10 facilities in North America. For more information on Leggett & Platt CVP, visit www.LeggettCVP.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, commercial rollout of the EchoDrive? system in 2014, target market, development of technologies and products, and business strategy. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
David Waldman/Natalya Rudman
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: 212-671-102212-671-1020 x 310
Email: ECAU@crescendo-ir.com
www.EchoAutomotive.com
SA Article Link
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2062973-sigma-labs-filling-in-the-cracks-of-3-d-printing?isDirectRoadblock=false&source=email_rt_article_readmore&uprof=45
Sigma Labs: Filling In The Cracks Of 3-D Printing
Mar. 3, 2014 10:26 AM ET | About: SGLB, Includes: OVTI
Disclosure: I am long SGLB. (More...)
Editor’s Note: This article covers a stock trading at less than $1 per share and with less than a $100 million market cap. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.
Introduction
Many investors are already familiar with 3D-printing companies such as Voxeljet AG (VJET), 3D Systems Corp. (DDD), Arcam AB (OTCPK:AMAVF) and Stratasys Ltd. (SSYS), and the tremendous gains each stock price underwent. It may be true that these stocks' valuations are overpriced, however the 3D-printing industry as a whole is still taxiing on the runway. There are still many 3D-printing companies within specific fields that remain undiscovered or lack advancements, which prevents their popularity. These small market niches are where the remaining undiscovered companies like Sigma Labs (OTCQB: OTCQB:SGLB) will revolutionize 3D-printing.
The Opportunity
One of the least developed markets in the additive manufacturing field is that of metal manufacturing inspection. Specifically, the primary deterrents are the inability to inspect, control, and accurately predict how well the finished result formed and behaved during the manufacturing process. This is because there are currently no accepted standards for Real-Time Process Control during the actual printing procedure. Terry Wohlers, a well-respected additive manufacturing advocate, remarked that "System reliability and process repeatability are challenges, especially when using AM for manufacturing. System manufacturers are addressing these challenges with real-time process monitoring and control software…" in an interview on Engineering.com. An in-process, real-time monitoring system is necessary for the creation of a much needed 3D Quality Certificate and to the further adoption of metal additive manufacturing.
The Solution
Sigma Labs' solution for the much needed 3D Quality Certificate is to develop an in-process monitoring system, which is patented PrintRite3D. PrintRite3D consists of four aggregated technologies, each of which addresses a current metal manufacturing complication. The PrintRite3D technology has seen much approval and interest from defense organizations and large aerospace companies, which are either awaiting product commercialization or providing additional capital to speed up the commercialization process. Confirmed examples include, GE Aviation, which has signed a JTDA with Sigma Labs (geaviation.com), Metronic Systems LLC has signed a JTDA with Sigma Labs to bring the PrintRite3D Inspect unit to commercialization faster(PRNewsWire), and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) is funding Sigma Labs' research at Honeywell Aerospace (HON) to create an Integrated Computational Material Engineering (ICME) framework procedure to better predict material properties in 3D-printing (PRNewswire). To better understand the PrintRite3D technology, let's analyze the general complications prohibiting the general adoption of metal manufacturing over Original Equipment Manufacturers. Here are some of the solutions Sigma Labs will provide to hopefully advance the wide-spread implementation of additive manufacturing.
The Analysis
There are three major problems that are preventing the transition from conventional OEMs to additive manufacturing OEM technologies. These problems are constructed around getting the right quality, getting the right shape, and the post-inspection times for products. An overview of Sigma Labs' PrintRite3D technology can be found at B6sigma.com.
Post-Inspection Time: Driving the three applications is the PrintRite3D SensorPak, an auxiliary hardware kit that rests on the AM machine and generates the appropriate data. With the use of the suite of applications, the overall expected printing process (including post-inspection time) is expected to be decreased exponentially. In an article by DesignNews, Ann R. Thryft, a senior technical editor for materials and assembly, stated that "A reduction of about 25% may be possible in the total AM time required for making the LEAP parts due to this new inspection technology. The technology is also expected to help assure build quality and repeatability by verifying part geometry and quality." The additional 25% of the additive manufacturing process consists entirely of post-build inspection procedures. The PrintRite3D technology eliminates the required post inspection processes by conducting the inspection real-time. This allows for the immediate use of a recently manufactured product, compared to that product waiting days or possibly even weeks for post-inspections processes.
Accurate Quality: As for producing the right quality, Sigma Labs is currently developing the PrintRite3D Inspect application, which verifies quality mm²-mm². The Inspect application assesses the quality of the 3D-printed object layer by layer on the machine, in real-time. All of the data collected by the SensorPak about the object, is run through the Inspect application to verify that each layer was manufactured with the right quality. The Inspect applications data will be simultaneously comparing each layer's predicted quality against the actual quality that was printed. This improves the process reliability to provide a more accurate and predictable outcome. Sigma Labs' technology offers solutions for companies in the biomedical, defense, and aerospace industries especially, because of the importance of quality in each and every individual part. The Inspect module also provides the allowance for repeatability, which is attractive to mass-production industries that are interested in printing 25k of the same exact prototype.
Accurate Shape: Currently, scanning the outside of object to determine its precise measurements, is very challenging, and requires either an X-Ray or a CAT scan of the object. In defense, aerospace, or biomedical parts, the complexity of some parts would make scanning the part more expensive than actually building it. This is a major flaw with the printing process and prevents industries that need critical parts from integrating 3D-printers. The PrintRite3D Deform and Thermal applications provide printers with the sense of "sight" during the printing process. The two applications allow the printer to determine an object's geometry, thermal profile, residual stress and distortion, as the object is being printed. If each printed layer comes out according to data that the SensorPak, then the object can be accounted for as correct immediately. This increases the printer's versatility, thus allowing the creation of more complex shapes. This versatility will enable the targeting of many more applicable industries.
The Customer Base
As the patented PrintRite3D technology is transitioning from developmental stages to commercialization, Sigma Labs is gaining more attention from big league industry leaders. On October 16-18, 2013, Sigma Labs' CEO Mark Cola participated on a panel for the Additive Aerospace Summit Conference. At this venue, Sigma Labs addressed the current challenges and opportunities in the metal AM industry to help accelerate the AM industry at a faster pace. Featured on Sigmalabsinc.com is a summary of the Summit Conference, which noted that among those present were General Electric, U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman (NOC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), AIRBUS SAS (EADS), Stratasys Ltd., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Boeing Company (BA), as well as other prominent players within the 3D Printing market space. Many of the previously mentioned entities have already started integrating the use of metal AM technologies and have shown an interest in the PrintRite3D technology. When Sigma Labs achieves commercialization, not only will PrintRite3D draw in various sources of revenue, but it would be a very desirable asset to many AM industry leaders as well.
The Competition
The current methods companies use to scan the insides of finished additive manufactured objects is very expensive and complicated. Current technologies involve either taking a CAT scan or an X-Ray of the object, and if the object is complex, the scan could be more expensive than the actual printing process. Other companies working on advancing 3D-Scanning and real-time monitoring are Omnivision (OVTI), which recently partnered up with Google (GOOG) on February 25, 2014. The two entities are working on "Project Tango", an app for Android allowing the phone to follow motion and create a 3D-map of its surroundings. Omnivision is providing sensors (OV4682 and the OV7251) that provide data to track motion and enable depth analysis for Google's Tango development kit. I don't believe that Omnivision will target the additive manufacturing industry, mainly because the OV4682 and the OV7251 use video recording and cameras to produce the scanning ability, while Sigma Labs' proprietary technology computes large amounts of data and mathematical equations to as its "scanning" technique, providing a more accurate outcome.
The Financial Situation
Sigma Labs functions as two independent entities. The first company is Sumner & Lawrence Limited, a consulting firm which provides high-level scientific consulting for the federal government. The other segment is Sigma B6, providing advanced materials, manufacturing, and in-process monitoring systems for high-end clients. Sigma Labs has a 52-week range between $.02-.28 and is currently trading at $.14, indicating high volatility and the potential for total loss. Sigma Labs' beta of 2.4 indicates an increased level of risk as well. However, a recent Reuters report noted that Sigma Labs with a current ratio of 10.37, minimal liabilities, and a gross profit margin of 53%, had pretty healthy financials. Sigma Labs' cash reserves decreased 500k to 150k as they are transitioning to early stages of commercialization. Their annual revenues have grown 23.72% (YoY) from 797.35k to 986.50k while net income improved from a net loss of 910.13k to a decreased net loss of 685.57k, resulting in an EPS of (-.0007). Those results are clearly nothing to rave about, except for the realization that all of the revenue was earned through Sigma Labs' consulting firm, Sumner & Lawrence Limited. In fact, throughout 2013 Sigma Labs had not recorded any revenue from Sigma B6 (holder of PrintRite3D). I believe that is about to change based on recent news published in a PRNewsWire article that mentions Sigma Labs' delivery of two PrintRite3D quality assurance systems to a leading international aerospace company, which is expected to generate $750,000USD just for evaluation and testing. This provides evidence to support the insight that Sigma Labs will experience a large financial re-positioning in the near future. If investors were to assume that the eight companies previously mentioned at the Summit Conference each requested the delivery of two PrintRite3D units just for testing and evaluation, the outcome would be $6m in annual revenues.
The Financial Risks
A company that spends 75% of its total cash reserves in one year, should make investors second guess their investment. With a remainder of only 150k in cash reserves, investors in Sigma Labs will be matched with even more associated risks as the company nears the bottom of its cash reserve. Even with Sigma Labs' subsidiary, Sumner and Lawrence, allocating annual revenues that increased roughly 23% (YOY) to just under 1m, the expenses involved with transitioning Sigma B6 to commercialization may drain Sigma Labs' available cash reserves. If commercialization takes longer than projected, the company may be faced with devastating financial restraints. If commercialization takes longer than expected the threat of a stock dilution may present itself, however I doubt the company will dilute the shares outstanding again, seeing as it just underwent a private placement of 43,750,000 common stock to RockVille Asset Management LLC on Jan 13, 2014 (Yahoo.com). Sigma Labs is a small-cap stock with a market cap of only 76m, trades on the OTC market and is currently trading for under a dollar. Stocks of this nature involve increased levels of risk for investors. I have contributed my own analysis for the viewing of the general audience and am sharing my personal opinions of Sigma Labs based on my research. I highly advise all investors to conduct their own research before investing their own money.
The Conclusion
Research leads me to believe in 3D-printing and all of the possibilities it presents. For that reason I remain long on Sigma Labs. The current manufacturing system is rudimentary and soon to be obsolete. Sigma Labs' technology may very well herald the future of 3D-printing as a manufacturing application. Additive manufacturing will influence many miscellaneous markets and offer unimaginable solutions. Sigma Labs represents just one of the many existing undiscovered companies that may revolutionize the 3D-printing industry.
Wow! This message board has been dead over the last 24 hours. I hope this is not indicative of the week to come.
Looks like we are about 40 - 45 days away from seeing the 2013 10-K.
GLTA!
Ecomike,
Thanks.
Do you know if this happened - "it seems logical that Ballard BLDP may one day license the MVTG fuel cell....."
Ecomike - So I was able to find that Ballard came out of the University of Maryland.
Which other company are you hinting about.
Looks like the University of Maryland has bee working with multiple companies.
Interested in investing, but need more info.
Fish,
Your post showed the following:
"Authorized Shares Not Available"
I simply did a little quick DD and found the answer.
I agree that this is a good thing. It should allow Jim to quickly acquire other assets without having to get approval from the stockholders for additional shares.
At this point in the life of SLTD I am not worried about dilution.
Based upon previous business dealings with India, the only way we will be able to sell there in large quantities is to build them there.
This will require collaboration with a local (government associated) company to actually do the work and take over the market.
Over time they will steal the intellectual property (IP) and build them at a lower cost without paying any royalties.
India is often looked at as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow just waiting to be found.
My experience is that the pot is usually full of something else.
Shares Authorized from the Sept 13 10-Q:
1,000,000,000 authorized shares;
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1172631/000118518513002385/solar3d10q093013.htm
Search on "Authorized" and you will see exactly where it came from.
GLTA!
mgland,
Thanks for pointing the date out. Not sure what the relevance of the article was due to its age.
The Forbes article on 14 Feb 2014 talks about a new magnifying film.
When I go the company website I do not see anything that even talks about this. They do not even have this article referenced on the site.
The company website talks about using sunlight to make renewable hydrogen.
It looks like the Forbes article is talking about a completely different company.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2011/02/14/new-magnifying-film-increases-solar-panel-efficiency-by-up-to-300-percent/
Can someone please explain??
I would like to invest here but really need to know what I am getting into.
Chiinkwia - Good post thanks!
How do you feel HyperSolar compares to the Jim Nelson Stock? I saw you on that board too.
This looks much like they looked before their acquisition.
I would appreciate your thoughts.
Does anyone know what % of Renishaw's Business is with 3d Printers?
I notice their website does not talk about 3D printing much. They talk about "laser melting". I find this odd given the popularity of 3D printing.
I realize that laser melting is a form of 3D printing.
Perhaps they do this to keep under the radar. Not sure why they do not want to be recognized as a 3D Printer Manufacturer.
Just found this interesting.
Thanks. While this is probably the reason, it really does not make any sense to me.
JRT,
Any idea why the NVDL board was renamed to SUDA LTD (NVDL)?
As we both know these are two completely different companies.
Appreciate what you can provide.
dcm,
I know what they are about. I attended the investor's conference last year and also attended the NTEA Truck Show in 2013.
I have been following these guys since the pump and dump.
The reason I am here today is that I actually have faith in the employees of this company. I have met several of them and they all seem to be good people.
I will ask Echolie's questions for the following reasons:
1. The question needs to be asked based upon what they put out at the investor's conf. They are not on schedule as told to us at the conference. The sales/revenues/contracts have not come in as they briefed. They briefed they would have contracts in 4th QTR 2013 and start deliveries in 1st QTR 2014.
2. Not everyone can attend the show. For those of us that can, we should bring messages from fellow investors.
I do not recall reading this on this board:
Houston, TX – Feb 27, 2014 – (Techsonian) - Sigma Labs, Inc. (SGLB) declared that its wholly-owned subsidiary, B6 Sigma, Inc., was a contestant on the winning team of companies and universities to be awarded an “America Makes” additive manufacturing research project from The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) for Sigma Labs proprietary In-Process Quality Assurance™ (IPQA®) System for monitoring of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D Printing (3DP).
Sigma Labs Inc (OTCMKTS:SGLB) managed to keep its fall at -1.46% on below-normal volume of 4.76 shares. The stock settled at $0.135 after floating in a range of $0.13 to $0.14. Its latest price has reached market capitalization of $75.13 billion. Its 52-week range has been $0.02 to $0.28
Echolie - Thanks for replying. I will ask your question at the show - Why haven't they had sales to date?
I found this on the web:
Mystery Penny Stocks Hard for Investors to Figure Out
Some penny stocks are rags to riches stories that capture the imaginations of investors, while other penny stocks remain mysteries that are hard for investors to figure out.
Echo Automotive Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU) share volume soared, with 367,908 shares changing hands, nearly three-times in three-month average volume of 131,734 shares.
The volume surge is probably related to the bevy of press releases this Scottsdale, Ariz.-based fuel-efficiency technology company puts out. The last announcement released Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 simply talk about their technology being tested by named and unnamed companies and fleets. Press releases are a good thing when they actually provide specifics and substance.
Financials Two-Years Old
Echo’s latest financial report from Dec. 31, 2012 shows the company net income for that year was -$2.5 million.
On Feb 25, ECAU’s share price closed 25 cents, up 4 cents from its close of 21 cents the previous day.
Having spent over 25 years working for the US Government, I am very reluctant to advocate to borrow $$ from them.
Anytime the USG is involved there are strings attached. Often these strings form there way into a noose and it strangles the company that took the loan.
Good exposure on Solar3D:
WSJ Online (subscription required):
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140226-903315.html
CNN Money:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/1093211.htm
Nice to see us getting the exposure!
Local Paper Article On Echo Automotive
By TRACI MOYER The Herald Bulletin
First Posted: February 25, 2014 - 9:49 am
Last Updated: February 25, 2014 - 9:52 am
ANDERSON, Indiana — Echo Automotive Inc. plans to expand its local research and development operations here, almost doubling its staff by 2015.
"We are excited to see Echo's growth and investment in Anderson and the Flagship Enterprise Center," said Charles Staley, president and CEO of Anderson's Flagship Enterprise Center.
Located at 2701 Enterprise Drive, Echo Automotive plans to invest $3.6 million in a 40,000-square-foot distribution, research and development facility at the Flagship. The company's planned investment includes renovation costs, the installation of automobile lifts, a thermal chamber and a full dynamomoter test facility, The Herald Bulletin reported (http://bit.ly/1cLjZtF ).
Echo Automotive is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and develops and manufactures a hybrid system for automotive fleets.
The company employs about 15 people in Anderson and says it will create up to 10 new jobs in the next two years with its expansion.
Jason Plotke, president, chairman and co-founder of Echo Automotive, said the company was originally drawn to Anderson because of its automotive history and workforce.
"Indiana has a long-standing legacy of electrification and that tradition has continued," said Plotke. "Anderson has a specific set of skills that is not common in other areas of the country."
He said the city has become "the heart of an automotive electrification corridor" where leading-edge technologies and veteran industry talent is unrivaled.
Echo Automotive started at the Flagship in April 2012 and, Staley said, last fall, they began expanding into the west half of the Flagship's A-2 facility. He said the company has a "fairly aggressive schedule" to add additional space for engineers and to build its manufacturing capacity to accommodate its production schedule.
"We are excited about being a part of the community and not only adding jobs, but we are adding good jobs," Plotke said.
Echo Automotive is currently searching for engineers and CAD designers posting several of the open positions on the company's website http://www.echoautomotive.com.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has offered Echo Automotive up to $100,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $30,000 in training grants based on the company's proposed expansion plans. The credits would not be available until after the company had filled the new positions.
Plotke said his company is working closely with the city of Anderson to secure a tax abatement and create even more jobs in the near future.
The trades are done! Not quite 300K as previously mentioned.
Sold:
20 LNG Calls @ 20.60
Bought:
294,000 SGLB @ 0.1398
GLTA!
Hope so. Have not heard back from broker. Looks like we have not broken through .14 so I will assume that I acquired them at .14 or below.
My boat is now overloaded and I encourage others to load up!
GLTA!
Just sold some options on LNG and told broker to put it all back into SGLB. Should be seeing an order for around 300,000 shares hitting.
GLTA!
Looks like it is going to take more than a press release on how good things are to make this really move.
I am betting on a good jump when the 10-K comes out next month around 28 March.
Until then I am not really sure we will see much appreciation.
Drivecycleman,
Thanks. If you ever get to the point where you can share what you know, please do.
I also understand that there are multiple reasons why one may not be able to share what they know.
Looking forward to the truck show in Indy on 5 - 7 March. My guess is that they will be making more announcements.
Echo Automotive & FleetCarma Test Fleet Driving Skills at NTEA Work Truck Show
EchoDrive Ride & Drive Contest Rewards Most Efficient Performance
SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Feb 26, 2014) - Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU) ("Echo Automotive", "Echo" or the "Company") a developer of technologies enabling the cost-effective aftermarket addition of fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid capability to new or existing vehicles, today announced that the Company is partnering with FleetCarma, a provider of vehicle monitoring and modeling technology that helps fleet managers identify the best alternative fuel solution for each duty cycle in the fleet, to put driver skills to the test in the EchoDrive demo van. The contest will be held at NTEA's Work Truck Show Ride & Drive on March 5 and 6, 2014.
"Ride and Drive events are the perfect venue to showcase just how easy EchoDrive is to use and the great value it can provide to fleets," said Amy Dobrikova, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Echo Automotive. "We're excited to be partnering with FleetCarma to give drivers access to third-party data and real-world insight into how their performance behind the wheel can combine with innovative plug-in hybrid technology to deliver better fuel efficiency and big cost savings."
"We are delighted to work with Echo Automotive to demonstrate the real-world benefits of electrifying fleet vehicles," said Eric Mallia, General Manager, FleetCarma. "We understand that these advanced vehicle technologies are new for many fleet managers, and they want to be confident that they will suit their needs. Giving driver-specific feedback during this event and beyond will help educate these folks on the range of benefits that plug-in hybrid technology offers."
The three most efficient drivers in the contest will receive prizes, certificates and bragging rights for their fleets, and will be featured in post-event news. Attendees who wish to participate in the contest must sign in at Echo's booth, #5562 in the Work Truck Show's Green Pavilion.
EchoDrive delivers a non-invasive plug-in hybrid solution for new or existing vehicles without high infrastructure costs. It offers fleet managers a low-cost point of entry to high fuel efficiency as well as a long product lifespan and financing options that make shorter return-on-investment possible. A nationwide network of industry-leading install and service providers supports the EchoDrive system. Production of EchoDrive units for the Ford E-Series platform is scheduled to begin later this year. Production for EchoDrive units supporting the GM 2500 and 3500 platform is expected in early 2015.
About Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU)
Echo Automotive is a technology company that specializes in delivering cost-effective electrification products and solutions that are purpose-built to maximize fleet transportation efficiency and provide optimal return on investment. The key to Echo's strategy is the bolt-on nature of its solutions, which reduce operating costs and increase efficiency without affecting original vehicle operations. Additionally, Echo offers technology licensing, and consulting in design, energy storage, propulsion, conversions, and vehicle engineering. For more information, please visit www.echoautomotive.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, commercial rollout of the EchoDrive system in 2014, target market, development of technologies and products, and business strategy. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: David Waldman/Natalya Rudman
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: 212-671-1020 x304
Email: ECAU@crescendo-ir.com
www.EchoAutomotive.com
Echolie,
What compelled you to create a new identity just to bash this stock?
When you have one post to your name and it is a bash, you have little credibility.
Why don't you provide any other IHUB identities you use so we can check you out to see if you have any credibility on any board.
TWA,
I saw your post on SGLB where you mentioned Bioheart and Lomiko.
I was not aware of Bioheart. I am big into SGLB and a believer.
What makes you a believer in Bioheart? I am looking for another good investment and this might be the one. I just need to know why you feel it is like SGLB.
Thanks.
Beyond the Pump and Dump for Echo Automotive - ECAU
Since the pump and dump in early 2013 (which I too got caught up in) Echo Automotive has been moving forward to deliver on their promises.
At the NTEA Truck show in 2013 (after the pump and dump) they were awarded the following: FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (March 14, 2013) — Echo Automotive, Inc. (Anderson, IN), has won The Work Truck Show® 2013 Editors’ Choice Award for its new EchoDrive™ bolt-on hybrid electric kit for fleet vehicles.
http://www.ntea.com/News/Default.aspx?id=31120
Since then they have continued to work on their systems and have expanded from just office space into their 40,000 foot warehouse: ANDERSON, IN --(Marketwired - Feb 20, 2014) - Echo Automotive, Inc.Echo Automotive, which develops and manufactures EchoDrive™, a bolt-on, plug-in hybrid system for automotive fleets, will invest $3.6 million to lease, renovate and equip a 40,000 square-foot distribution and research and development plant at the Flagship Accelerator Building in Anderson. The project, which includes the installation of new automobile lifts, a thermal chamber and a full dynamometer test facility, will create up to 10 new jobs by 2015.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/echo-automotive-one-two-indiana-140000980.html
They also announced that along with Ford, they are now working with Chevrolet: (Marketwired - Feb 18, 2014) Echo Automotive, Inc. a developer of technologies enabling the cost-effective aftermarket addition of fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid capability to new or existing vehicles, today announced plans to extend its industry award-winning EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system to GM 2500 and 3500 vans, including the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, model years 2010-2014. Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2015.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/echo-automotive-adds-gm-platform-140348440.html
Perhaps we need to look beyond the Pump and Dump and see what Echo has to offer.
Echo Automotive Achieves Strategic Milestone
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/echo-automotive-achieves-strategic-milestone-123000245.html
SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Feb 25, 2014) - Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU) ("Echo Automotive", "Echo" or the "Company") a developer of technologies enabling the cost-effective aftermarket addition of fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid capability to new or existing vehicles, today announced that it is providing its industry award-winning EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system to several customers including a renowned research institution and a municipality at the forefront of alternative fuels adoption. These customers will participate in the Company's beta program and deploy EchoDrive production units later in the year.
EchoDrive beta units are expected to be delivered within the second quarter. Echo Automotive will install the units on customers' existing vehicles, which will immediately be placed back in service within their fleets. Drivers will use the EchoDrive plug-in hybrid powered vans in their standard day-to-day business. Throughout the test period, system data will be captured and reported back to the Echo development team and will be used in fine-tuning the EchoDrive system for production application. Delivery of production volume units is expected later this year.
"We are pleased to announce that almost all of our first year production units have been reserved and that we have begun taking orders for 2015," said Amy Dobrikova, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Echo Automotive. "Betas will soon be deployed in fleets across the nation within Fortune 500 companies and leading universities, government agencies, municipalities and utilities. The diverse mix of customers speaks to the broad appeal of EchoDrive. Many of our customers are leading the way in alternative fuels adoption and are aggressively pursuing fossil fuel independence through their sustainability programs, others are solely focused on cost savings for their fleets, and all are committed to finding innovative solutions that meet their unique business needs. We are excited to be included in their initiatives and we look forward to sharing their success stories as implementations progress."
"This is a remarkably exciting time for Echo," said Dan Kennedy, Co-Founder and CEO, Echo Automotive. "Our business plan and our sales traction is exceeding our original expectations, and our customers recognize the value that EchoDrive will deliver to their fleets in both the short term and the long term. While our agreements prevent us from naming specific customers at this time, everyone at Echo is pleased to provide our services to the industry-leading companies and organizations that have selected EchoDrive's truly game-changing technology for their fleets."
EchoDrive delivers a non-invasive plug-in hybrid solution for new or existing vehicles without high infrastructure costs. It offers fleet managers a low-cost point of entry to high fuel efficiency as well as a long product lifespan and financing options that make shorter return-on-investment possible. A nationwide network of industry-leading install and service providers supports the EchoDrive system. Production of EchoDrive units for the Ford E-Series platform is scheduled to begin later this year. Production for EchoDrive units supporting the GM 2500 and 3500 platform is expected in early 2015.
About Echo Automotive, Inc. (OTCQB: ECAU)
Echo Automotive is a technology company that specializes in delivering cost-effective electrification products and solutions that are purpose-built to maximize fleet transportation efficiency and provide optimal return on investment. The key to Echo's strategy is the bolt-on nature of its solutions, which reduce operating costs and increase efficiency without affecting original vehicle operations. Additionally, Echo offers technology licensing, and consulting in design, energy storage, propulsion, conversions, and vehicle engineering. For more information, please visit www.echoautomotive.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, commercial rollout of the EchoDrive? system in 2014, target market, development of technologies and products, and business strategy. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: CONTACT:
David Waldman
Natalya Rudman
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: 212-671-1020 x304
Email: ECAU@crescendo-ir.com
www.EchoAutomotive.com
Good day for MGI - FRIIF up 7.26%
Here is a copy of the letter of resignation from the EDGAR SEC Site:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1172631/000106594914000053/ex99.1.txt
RESIGNATION AS A DIRECTOR
OF
SOLAR3D, INC.
A Delaware Corporation
I hereby resign as a director of Solar3D, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
for personal reasons, effective February 19, 2014. I have enjoyed my tenure on
the Board and remain available to consult with the company and to support the
execution of its business plan.
/s/ Mark J. Richardson
--------------------------------------
Mark J. Richardson, resigning Director
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>