And this looks like in process quality assurance, but someone explained to me that it is only for friction welding and also that the patent is assigned.
Method and apparatus for in-process sensing of manufacturing quality
US 6857553 B1
ABSTRACT
A method for determining the quality of an examined weld joint comprising the steps of providing acoustical data from the examined weld joint, and performing a neural network operation on the acoustical data determine the quality of the examined weld joint produced by a friction weld process. The neural network may be trained by the steps of providing acoustical data and observable data from at least one test weld joint, and training the neural network based on the acoustical data and observable data to form a trained neural network so that the trained neural network is capable of determining the quality of a examined weld joint based on acoustical data from the examined weld joint. In addition, an apparatus having a housing, acoustical sensors mounted therein, and means for mounting the housing on a friction weld device so that the acoustical sensors do not contact the weld joint. The apparatus may sample the acoustical data necessary for the neural network to determine the quality of a weld joint.
ANYWAY, this wasn't about Sigma Labs. The question was, why are the companies associated with 3-D printing failing to thrive? What is holding back acceptance and sales? In reply, I postulated that it was liability and IP issues, industry wide. And I am all ears for other reasons. Maybe it is thriving, but then why not reflective in sp? Thanks for reply, Windbag.
AI
