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Picked up a few more myself. wish I could get more dry powder to purchase more at this level.
I gotta say good call. I've been in for the long haul and I'm betting this will payoff in a couple years. Just thought I'd give credit where it is due.
I am investing in SGLB for the long haul because of a few reasons:
1) Strong Relationships with Government Organizations whose mission is to develop/promote new technologies such as IPQA. A company does not achieve a DARPA Phase II award without having a legitimate product/process.
2) Strong Relationships with Fortune 500 companies such as GE and Honeywell. Fortune 500 companies will not do Joint Technology agreements and risk exposing their IP to a fly by night company.
3) Additive Manufacturing is a growth industry that will need quality assurance as it has been stated many times by AM leaders such as GE Aviation and others. Competition is coming which is good. this validates that SGLB is ahead of the game in developing and producing a product that more companies realize is desperately needed.
I am excited for the future of SGLB and my timeline is years not months or weeks as stated before. This is an industrial revolution which is years in the making and we are on the cusp of huge growth. SGLB will benefit in the long run.
For those unfamiliar with DARPA and NIST.
Please take a look at what they do and what they are brought to the world over the years. SGLB has huge support. Take a look at that ICME framework! Huge potential there not too mention the LEAP engine and the MRO applications, dental, and medical. The list is long. Many AM apllications will need quality assurance as the standards will be coming out soon enough! Good Luck!
http://www.darpa.mil/about.aspx
Creating breakthrough technologies for national security is the mission of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). By making pivotal investments in new technology-driven ideas for the United States, DARPA imagines and makes possible new capabilities for overcoming the multifaceted threats and challenges that lie ahead.
http://web.mit.edu/is08/pdf/Fuchs_slides.pdf
Erica Fuchs Assitant Professor from Carnegie Mellon University
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/373546/10-brilliant-darpa-inventions
DARPA is one of the most important technology research and development organisations on the planet
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/mission.cfm
NIST's mission:
To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
https://americamakes.us/about/mission
America Makes' focus is to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies in the U.S. manufacturing sector and to increase domestic manufacturing competitiveness by:
Fostering a highly collaborative infrastructure for the open exchange of additive manufacturing information and research.
Facilitating the development, evaluation, and deployment of efficient and flexible additive manufacturing technologies.
Engaging with educational institutions and companies to supply education and training in additive manufacturing technologies to create an adaptive, leading workforce.
Serving as a national institute with regional and national impact on additive manufacturing capabilities.
Linking and integrating US companies with existing public, private or not-for-profit industrial and economic development resources, and business incubators, with an emphasis on assisting small- and medium-sized enterprises and early-stage companies (start-ups).
Yes, This contract award continues to confirm all us Dot Connectors views based on DD. The contract will showcase the Company's PrintRite3D® technology across multiple platforms, in particular high-volume, high-quality aerospace components. SGLB has the quality assurance solution that the major players are looking for. This industry is growing and SGLB is right where they need to be to take advantage of this growing multi-billion dollar industry.
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-the-aerospace-industry-is-making-3d-printing-a-multi-billion-dollar-business-2014-9
We all know about GE's fuel nozzles and Honeywell's ICME which are both huge projects now factor in Aerojet.
I'm very impressed that Aerojet Rocketdyne is looking at PrintRite3d for their AM applications. $SGLB is associated with Fortune 500 companies that are asking to see touch and feel PrintRite3D. Fortune 500 companies are not working with a scam company to verify billion dollar AM applications. I'm looking forward to being on a Big Board by next year when institutions and mutual fund managers will be happy to invest in SGLB. Look at what Aerojet is doing with AM.
"Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to push the envelope with both the development and application of 3-D printed technologies, and this successful test opens a new paradigm of possibilities that is not constrained by the limits of traditional manufacturing techniques," said Julie Van Kleeck, vice president of Space Advanced Programs at Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/aerojet-rocketdyne-successfully-demonstrates-3d-printed-rocket-propulsion-system-for-satellites-20141215-01008#ixzz3OwrShqpK
http://www.3dprinterworld.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-creates-completely-3d-printed-rocket-engine
Should SGLB need to raise a few more funds for the AM future that is lining up for them so be it. My investment strategy is several years not several hours or days or weeks. Good Luck everyone. I wish all the best!
JJ,
Thanks much for your awesome contributions as usual. SGLB is so far ahead in the in process quality assurance game!! I'm looking forward to the quality assurance standards that SGLB is sure to adhere considering they are the prototype used by NIST to begin with.
Just to add to your excellent DD. The Asheville Factory is producing the ceramic-matrix composites as you stated and of course "There will be 18 CMC turbine shrouds in every LEAP engine, GE Aviation noted."
http://americanmachinist.com/news/ge-aviation-starts-plant-composite-jet-engine-parts
GE Oil and Gas factory is probably doing there own fuel nozzles now or soon.
"General Electric's oil and gas division will begin pilot production of 3D printed metal fuel nozzles which feed combustion in gas turbines. The plan is to begin the pilot in the second half of this year with full production expected in 2015."
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140124-3d-printing-drills-into-the-oil-industry.html
GE will continue to push AM and utilize the IPQA process to verify. This year is gonna be an exciting one as long as SGLB stays "lock and Step with GE"
Jackle,
I do appreciate your posts which are always backed with great DD.
Very interesting indeed. Thanks for the post!
DWOL, I do agree that the JTDA was just a reaffirmation of the MOU with Morris Technologies. I'm looking forward to see how this year plays out once fuel nozzle production ramps up in the new GE factory. I believe then we will finally have more insight on what SGLB will get out of the JTDA. I'm assuming that GE will purchase the Materialize Streamic integrated with PrintRite3D(1) as Materialize software already integrates well with EOS(2) printers that GE is utilizing(3). Provided DD below for those who are new to SGLB. Just my best guess based on Dot connecting. I believe that GE will want to use the SGLB's Deform which I'm betting will be embedded into Streamics later this year since commercialization of Deform is anticipated this quarter. I'll give it several months to be integrated with Streamics even if it slips some I'm not concerned. I believe SGLB management intentionally went with Honeywell on Deform to ensure their Intellectual Property is not given to one company. Progress continues to be made and I continue to feel more confident in SGLB as AM industry confirms the need for PrintRite3D. I'm being patient. GLTU!
(1) http://www.materialise.com/press/materialise-joins-a-new-cooperation-agreement-with-sigma-labs-inc
(2) http://materialise.com/press/materialiseeos-build-processor-creates-a-better-communication-between-materialise-software-and
(3) GE's 3-D printing facility in Ohio -- which it acquired when it bought Morris Technologies in 2012 -- heavily consists of EOS printers.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/10/general-electric-companys-brilliant-factory-will-e.aspx
Excellent Point Truthandlove! $SGLB Sigma Labs Awarded Phase II DARPA Contract with Honeywell Aerospace for Metal 3D Printing Technologies
http://3dprint.com/23061/sigma-labs-drapa-3d-printing/
$SGLB has a Joint Technology Development Agreement with GE Aviation
http://www.geaviation.com/press/other/other_20130524.html
$SGLB Sigma Labs Announces the Release of PrintRite3D® INSPECT™ Quality Assurance Software
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sigma-labs-announces-the-release-of-printrite3d-inspect-quality-assurance-software-2014-09-08
SGLB is a company that has real product which two Fortune 500 companies are very interested in as well as gov't entities such as NIST, America Makes and DARPA. Please follow the numerous articles and links on B6Sigma and Sigma Labs.
Happy New Year to ALL!!
DWOL,
Thanks for this post. The conclusions drawn from Lloyd's Register continues to confirm why I'm invested here. Industry articles continue to pop up saying quality control and standards are needed. I love continued references to the Oil and Gas opportunities. There is continued confirmation that the timeline is long on this and that we are still in the early stage. The momentum is building and awareness is increasing. I'm looking forward to what the new year will bring for us investors! GLTA!
Thanks much for sharing with the board. I look forward to the announcement!
JJsmith, Welcome back! It's great to see you back on the board!
SGLB management has positioned itself with two Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Anyone new to SGLB? I urge you to please do some DD and follow the many links posted up top! This company is for real.
Search Honeywell and Sigma Labs.
Search GE Aviation and Sigma Labs.
Search DARPA and Sigma Labs.
Search America Makes and Sigma Labs.
Search NIST and Sigma Labs.
Search Additive Manufacturing and Sigma Labs.
Then continue to follow the leads from there.
Even look at the DD that I did if you want a start.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=107545220
Thanks Mr3DP!!
Gotta love that SGLB management is constantly looking for smart opportunities to demonstrate their PrintRite3D. I love that they are getting in on the ground floor of Addlab and they are looking at European markets. Mark assured has great exposure in the US via GE aviation/Honeywell/gov't agencies and is setting up SGLB for success in Europe.
"AddLab is the first 3D printing pilot factory for the production of industrial metal parts in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It is built on the ambition to develop a broad range of High Tech and high end manufacturing applications for 3D metal printing.
As a shared facility, AddLab is privately funded by 9 industrial partners. These participating companies are convinced that by cooperating rather than competing, they have a better chance of becoming a leading player in the field of industrial additive manufacturing."
You said it Silversmith!!! I'm in lock step with you! lol
Agreed 100 percent. It is a waiting game now. I believe that we will have a very good 2015 and better 2016. SGLB is continues to follow the DD and I'm enjoying watching the dots connecting along the way. The FAA certification of LEAP Engine will certify the AM processes used to create it and adhering to the NIST standard which it appears will be based off of IPQA and when the ICME framework is approved. Many industry players will be interested in SGLB when this all happens. Great Progress continues to be made.
Very nice Find MDuffy! Looking like 2015 is gonna be a very nice year for SGLB!
http://www.hawkassociates.com/clients/profile/?client_id=7
MHTX expects to receive a minimum of $9 million in royalties from Carpenter during the period 2015-2017. MHTX also anticipates it will receive additional royalties before 2015.
How much SGLB gets from Manhattan well who knows but incoming revenue is looking like a strong possibility in 2015.
Nice Find Minding! This is continues to fit perfectly with why I'm invested here! SGLB is the answer that industry is looking for to move forward.
"GE Aviation, meanwhile, uses “in-process monitoring” during 3D printing to make sure parts meet the required standards. It discards any that fall outside acceptable parameters, and puts every third part through a scanner and X-rays it.
“That’s a huge part of the 3D printing technology,” a company spokesman says of this technique. “If you don’t have those, you cannot be sure of the parts you’ve made.”
Mr Reis insists that such techniques will in time allow manufacturers to satisfy regulators about safety. “We’re going to have more tools to do the testing faster and it will cause an acceleration of the penetration,” he says."
Loving it!
Windbag, Thanks much for sharing! Awesome to know!
Very nice Find MDuffy!
I love this part "With Open Manufacturing, we are highly optimistic," he said. "We are coming out of our phase one and looking at the results that we are getting from our performers. Honeywell is working with the direct metal laser sintering process, and Boeing is working with the electron beam additive manufacturing process. In both cases, we are extremely pleased with the results, which we see as being able to predict performance based on our probabilistic models and the rich material and process information."
This has SGLB's IPQA written all over it and SGLB is involved with both Honeywell and Boeing!
It works great with this article http://www.onlineamd.com/element-additive-manufacturing-testing-center-112014.aspx#.VHASPuNdUrU
“Additive manufacturing allows for unprecedented possibilities in developing aerospace, medical, and energy sector product parts and components. However, we currently face enormous challenges in determining the level of testing required to ensure consistent production, the properties at risk, and a need to detect critical flaw sizes more accurately than ever before.
“Industry-wide collaboration is needed to achieve a greater understanding of additive manufacturing processes and stringent testing standards are needed to drive these innovations forward.
SGLB has the answer and IPQA is being tested with the major players and gov't. SGLB addresses the need of "consistent production, the properties at risk and a need to detect critical flaw sizes" Patience is key!
Further evidence of corrupt mortgage practices of Big Banks.
http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/whistleblower-sheds-light-on-financial-crash-355233347809
White collar wallstreet protecting themselves which led to Fannie being used as a toxic bank IMO This is the type of stuff that gov't would want to keep from getting out to general public.
This news today is great. The dots continue to connect. Honeywell and DARPA continue their relationship with SGLB. I love this "Phase II awards are intended to result in deliverable prototypes ready for commercialization."
This matches so closely with America Makes goal Led by General Electric Aviation, in partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne; B6 Sigma, Inc.; Burke E. Porter Machinery Company; Honeywell Aerospace; Montana Tech of The University of Montana; and TechSolve, Inc., this project will address the need for the development of a commercially available, platform-independent Quality Assurance technology for high-volume AM production of aerospace components, which is currently lacking within the industry.
Two different projects with two different Fortune 500 companies with the stated goal of commercialization. This news gets better every few months. GLTA!
Dad Thanks for the stickie just wanted to share my reasons for investing with the group. I'll probably do another update in six months as I bet the picture will improve and only shine brighter!
Awesome Thanks for sharing this!
I was agreeing with you about no guarantees and sharing in general why I invest in sglb.
Why I invest in Sigma Labs. The first half is a repost from back in March this year. The second is why I continue to invest.
Sigma Labs, Inc.'s Proprietary IPQA System was approved by Boeing for Aerospace Production.
http://www.b6sigma.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=36&cntnt01origid=52&cntnt01returnid=59
GE Aviation builds engines for Boeing and has billions in orders for the LEAP engine.
http://www.geaviation.com/press/cfm56/leap-x/leap_20130617b.html
The LEAP engine's fuel nozzles will be built using Additive Manufacturing (3D metal printing) and GE Aviation signed a Cooperative Agreement with Sigma Labs to develop in process inspection technology that is expected to increase additive production times by 25 percent.
http://www.geaviation.com/press/other/other_20130524.html
Sigma's IPQA technology is applicable to the global market for Gas Turbine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
Mark Cola: The work we are doing with our Fortune 100 power generation customer is an early-stage project to demonstrate the proof-of-concept for a new weld repair technology our client has developed. Key to its success is the ability of our IPQA technology to identify key process variables necessary to ensure a quality weld repair. Should our work prove to be effective in identifying key process variables, next steps might entail developing a closed-loop control scheme capable of being integrated into a systems-level solution for deployment globally to the MRO community.
http://3dprintingindustry.com/2013/11/04/interview-mark-cola-ceo-3d-printing-rd-company-sigma-labs/
It appears that Sigma Labs is gearing up to commercialize their IPQA technology via PrintRite3D based on recent job descriptions from Linked In with job summaries such as:
Position Summary: Successfully execute customer-sponsored engineering projects in the area of In-Process Quality Assurance™ (IPQA®) for advanced manufacturing and 3D metal printing. The responsible candidate will also conduct internal research and development (IRAD) for B6 Sigma's PrintRite3D® product portfolio.
http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/11665463
Position Summary: Successfully execute application engineering work in the area of In-Process Quality Assurance™ (IPQA®) for advanced manufacturing and 3D metal printing. The responsible candidate will assist customers engineering staff with the successful implementation of B6 Sigma's PrintRite3D® product line for real-time, nondestructive inspection for advanced manufacturing and 3D metal printing.
http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/11664995
What's it worth? Is the big question. IMO a technology that could speed a process up to 25 percent on billion dollar contracts across multiple industries should be worth a couple billion at least.
I posted the previous back in March 2014 so now Part 2 Why I Continue to invest in SGLB.
One. Management has delivered on Inspect before End of Third Quarter as they promised in May's Retail Investor's Conference
http://sigmalabsinc.com/uploads/Investor_Presentations/Presentation%20for%20May%202014%20Retail%20Investors%20Conf_REV1.pdf
Two. Honeywell continues relationship with Sgima Labs.
https://3dprintingstocks.com/sigma-labs-honeywell/
Third. SGLB has joined with Materialize to be included in their AM software.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sigma-labs-inc-signs-agreement-140000712.html
Fourth. The AM industry continues to confirm that AM quality is needed as research continues on AM quality assurance and we know that SGLB is way ahead of the competition on AM quality assurance.
"Despite the heavy investment in metal 3D printing, the technology is still new enough so that methods to ensure superior quality and complex printing free of errors have still not been fully developed. As the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering puts it, “developing complex geometries with fewer errors and distortions, as well as quality standards to test the manufactured items, have not kept pace with the technology.”
http://www.inside3dp.com/researchers-working-improve-additive-manufacturing-metal-parts/
http://www.ilt.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ilt/en/documents/annual_reports/JB10/JB10_S89.pdf
Fifth. Management decided to purchase EOS printer and pursue AM manufacturing.
http://inside3dprinting.com/sigma-labs-moves-into-manufacturing-phase-with-eos-metal-printer/
I see this as a huge positive that management is looking into additional AM revenue streams as opposed to waiting on IPQA contracts such as from GE or Honeywell. They are being proactive and plus the following article that I've posted for the fourth time confirms that AM prototyping is a growth market. Look at the success this company has with it.
"In 2005, the company purchased an EOS M270 metal additive manufacturing machine to speed production of prototype tools for its internal operations. The Livonia, Mich., mold maker’s additive manufacturing operation has since grown to nine machines, with plans to quadruple that number in the years ahead."
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141010/NEWS/141019990/linear-takes-additive-manufacturing-to-new-levels-in-tools-prototyping
Sixth. AM applications which will require Quality Assurance Standards. This I Consider to be of Utmost Importance. and SGLB has been working with the standards bodies since 2013 with thier IPQA process.
“Standards need to be put in place to ensure that AM part characteristics are equally well quantified and documented as today’s subtractive-material equivalents.”
http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/8669/ESA-Begins-Testing-3D-Printing-for-Space.aspx
Look at applications that will require the Quality Standards before AM can be accepted.
http://dupress.com/articles/additive-manufacturing-3d-opportunity-in-automotive/
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.titanium.org/resource/resmgr/TiUSA2104Papers/VegaFranciscoTiUSA20143DAddi.pdf
I am very excited about what the future will bring for SGLB and their IPQA process with Boeing approving of the IPQA process back in 2012 and with the LEAP engine already flying and slated to be certified by mid 2015. I believe that mid 2015 and on will be huge for SGLB. The LEAP certification will grant certification on the IPQA process by the FAA. Designated LEAP-1C, this engine is the first member of the LEAP family, slated for certification in 2015 http://www.safran-group.com/site-safran-en/aerospace/aerospace-propulsion/commercial-aircraft-engines/leap-x-700/
This certification and the completion of the ASTM AM quality standard will set the stage for huge growth as our IPQA process will be the one of choice for Additive Manufacturers. Think about it! What other company will have a closed loop process that has been tested and verified by the Standards Bodies by next year when they are still currently developing their process. IPQA is first to market and first to be tested by Boeing, GE Aviation, Honeywell, P&W, Rolls Royce, NIST, DARPA, and other government bodies.
The story of SGLB continues to grow stronger every few months that go by. Folks should know what they hold and do their own DD as I continue to do my own and accumulate. Mark Cola has been doing a wonderful job with SGLB and the pps will reflect it soon as contracts start to come in. I am excited and my excitement continues to grow as my research as well as others on this board proves that AM is exploding. It will soon come out of the wild west just like Information Technology did and standards came into play. Many companies have been formed and profited on simply verifying a standard as SGLB will do. All IMO but backed up with much DD and real world examples.
In Life their are no absolutes or guarantees for any company but all investors must look at Risk vs. Reward and decide what they are willing to risk for that reward. IMO the risk of a failure for SGLB is low and the reward is high. America Makes was designed to solve various technical issues with industry and allow industry to be successful with America Makes projects. “In-Process Quality Assurance (IPQA) for Laser Powder Bed Production of Aerospace Components”
- General Electric Aviation
Led by General Electric Aviation, in partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne; B6 Sigma, Inc.; Burke E. Porter Machinery Company; Honeywell Aerospace; Montana Tech of The University of Montana; and TechSolve, Inc., this project will address the need for the development of a commercially available, platform-independent Quality Assurance technology for high-volume AM production of aerospace components, which is currently lacking within the industry. The proposed effort will be achieved through the maturation of an IPQA technology solution that leverages a development approach, incorporating multiple AM machines and multiple super alloys. https://americamakes.us/news-events/press-releases/item/475-second-projectcall-awardees
IMO based on this stated goal. Industry and Government will not let IPQA fail. It will succeed. I wish ALL the best in whatever direction Investors decide to go with their hard earned funds. I know that mine will stay here.
Congrats to you and yours!
Yes, This is the proposed quality standard that I'm betting SGLB will match perfectly. I believe the standard needs to be in place before companies start purchasing IPQA. We are on the verge. remember last year when Gary talked about it in this article. http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/6365/Who-Will-Set-The-Standards-For-The-Additive-Manufacturing-Industry.aspx
I agree that we are perfectly positioned. The Dots are connecting at a faster rate. I'm positive that next year will bring the "3D Quality Certificate" that will bring business to SGLB. The orders will accelerate as more companies jump into AM with the quality standards in place.
Absolutely, They can start with the one machine and grow and make money while they wait for PrintRite orders which I'm thinking will really materialize soon as one FAA certification 2015 or NIST/ASTM AM quality standards are written. SGLB can make money in the meantime dong AM prototyping. A growing market that this company Linear is taking advantage of by planning to quadruple their AM capacity.
In 2005, the company purchased an EOS M270 metal additive manufacturing machine to speed production of prototype tools for its internal operations. The Livonia, Mich., mold maker’s additive manufacturing operation has since grown to nine machines, with plans to quadruple that number in thehttp://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141010/NEWS/141019990/linear-takes-additive-manufacturing-to-new-levels-in-tools-prototyping years ahead.
Sorry I posted the same article like three times but eventually some will realize that it is growth market!
Yep, I'm with you on this. I believe they are making the right call.
Jackle, I agree 100 percent with you too bad some can't see it.
JPI,
Yes, I posted this article as well a couple days back. AM prototyping is a growing business and it's nice to see SGLB working to capitalize on it. This company Linear is planning to quadruple their AM printers to handle the work. SGLB can easily to this type of work with their expertise and show off PrintRite. http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141010/NEWS/141019990/linear-takes-additive-manufacturing-to-new-levels-in-tools-prototyping
Jackle, Thanks much for the news and link! Awesome!
Any one else get excited about this article?
In what researchers describe as ‘Potentially the most important development in metal AM since conception’, by controlling the process and melt patterns of 3D printing at the micro-scale, they were able to dictate the grain orientation of the metal.
Does'nt SGLB have a patent No. 8,354,608
Methods for control of a fusion welding process by maintaining a
controlled weld pool volume
I know that ORNL is Department of Energy and they are with America Makes. I believe that SGLB was working with the Department of Energy.
Well check out the article for yourselves and let me know if this sounds exciting to you too.
https://news.google.com/news?ncl=dFdIk8ud-VQuD1MLd5LHAYyPuBekM&q=additive+manufacturing&lr=English&hl=en&sa=X&ei=T2BAVIvsMue1sQTEw4DQDQ&ved=0CCMQqgIwAQ
I see that it was presented this week at http://www.matscitech.org/
http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/gadget/newsid=37742.php
I know it does suck watching the pps go down like this but I'm still long and strong. Added a little today. Anyway, I saw this article today that may explain SGLB's thinking on purchasing the EOS machine. "In 2005, the company purchased an EOS M270 metal additive manufacturing machine to speed production of prototype tools for its internal operations. The Livonia, Mich., mold maker’s additive manufacturing operation has since grown to nine machines, with plans to quadruple that number in the years ahead.
AM now represents 40 to 45 percent of Linear’s sales, said John Tenbusch, Linear’s president."
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141010/NEWS/141019990/linear-takes-additive-manufacturing-to-new-levels-in-tools-prototyping
Found another company doing the same thing adding to their capacity.
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141010/NEWS/141019990/linear-takes-additive-manufacturing-to-new-levels-in-tools-prototyping
Wow! dropping fast. Wish I had more powder. picked up 6k at .79
Patience is key as this technology has been in the works for years with FAA and GE. Please see this FAA report and note Fuel Nozzle durability. The TAPS fuel nozzle is a key component of this lean burn system. It provides the rich burn pilot fuel injection for low power and the lean burn main stage fuel injection for high power. The thermal design protects the aft face of the nozzle from the combustor radiative heat load and the fuel circuits maintain temperature levels that minimize carbon build up even during fuel staged operation. The fuel nozzle is in a very challenging environment that will get tougher with higher pressure ratio engines. Continued develop in cooling and thermal protection is key to increase the durability of this component. We are nearing completion of the testing phase and the production phase is gearing up. The production phase will be when contracts are announced and LEAP engine production is starting next year. Please remember that IPQA is GE's and Sigma Labs as they did the JTDA. The fuel nozzle is key to meeting the FAA CLEEN TAPS II program. http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/research/aircraft_technology/cleen/2012_consortium/media/ge_cleen_projects_briefing.pdf
Patience please as the years of testing will result in this The testing program for the LEAP-1A engine will culminate in engine certification in 2015. http://additivemanufacturing.com/2013/09/12/ge-started-testing-next-gen-jet-engine-with-3d-printed-parts/
We are on the eve of certification for the LEAP and it will include the fuel nozzles. The LEAP engine is currently being tested in flight. I believe with nearly 99.99 percent certainty that the AM quality standards for closed loop process will be finalized by next years to match the certification of LEAP and all it's AM parts. Simga Labs is tied to GE with the JTDA of the IPQA process. Sigma will benefit from this close association as will SGLB's pps. Wishing all investors the best!
Yes, I believe firmly that certification of LEAP engine by FAA will be very important as it will confirm the entire AM processes used to build the LEAP. The IPQA process will be certified and I bet it'll become the standard then blast off in pps as IPQA would be the AM closed loop process that FAA approves.
I'm looking forward to ASTM/NIST to come out with AM closed loop process standard. I bet IPQA will meet all the specifications. These two events FAA certification and a AM closed loop process are what companies are waiting for and pps is waiting for. Of course contract award but companies outside of GE/Honeywell need to have a standard to comply with before making any major AM investment that will require stringent quality control.
I absolutely agree. He will call it ours because of the JTDA. I'm certain that SGLB and GE have a deal which will be revealed as GE's plant gets ready to print those fuel nozzles. IMO we will know something in the coming months. GE has a timeline that cannot and will not slip. There are billions of contracts at stake. They have said that they are using IPQA already.
It is a waiting game which IMO is coming to an end. We'll know soon enough if 1)Sigma gave away IPQA do to the JTDA with GE because they needed GE expertise for the final finishing touch on IPQA process. I tend to believe that 2) GE recognized that they needed to work with Sigma to increase their competitive advantage in the AM space. Morris knew that Boeing one of their main customers had approved the IPQA process back in 2012.
I'm sure that either GE gets a big discount on IPQA or maybe they call it their own and do what they please in their shops but make not mistake Sigma holds the patent and many AM players will purchase IPQA software/hardware or want to acquire Sigma's IPQA process for themselves. Sigma's IPQA process is being tested like crazy by the Big Boys and gov't.
I'm looking forward to the ASTM or NIST standards regarding the AM quality assurance in a closed loop process. IMO SGLB will be way ahead of the competition. We just need those standards to be written and approved then SGLB pps will point northwards as many orders will follow as companies must comply with the standards. The standards are huge IMO. I believe that is the hold up with SGLB. AM industry does not have the Quality standards in place yet. All IMHO! Have a great weekend ALL!