Well in an automated factory, most companies purchase standard equipment-- then use sensors/software that are custom-tailored to their quality needs. For instance, in a food packaging operation, they'll have all kinds of sensors (made by Renishaw or whoever) to do things like detect metal, measure weight/kick off underweight items, frequency of boxes going past, machine efficiency, jams/ when the machine gets slightly off track/needs to be cleaned/calibrated, etc and the machine operator (on the floor factory person) will have a screen that shows all that, so he/she can see when an alert happens and fix the problem before a lot of waste happens. There is an entire industry of engineers (in-house, or 3rd party) who sole job is to make customized software to make off the shelf equipment work right within a specific company's factory line. I know these two bajillionaires, from a small town in KY, who create software to customize the robotic equipment to different people's needs-- they've done work for Toyota, Honda, some drug companies, etc, and that's just two guys. That's why Sigma's current small staff doesn't really bother me so much. They'll have to ramp up with more orders, but right now it's not really an issue.
With Sigma- the reason I mentioned calibration, it's not that Sigma's sensors need to be calibrated (and in fact their sensors are off the shelf components also) Sigma's main sell is the SOFTWARE package. The part that detects when a machine isn't running right/beginning to produce bad or potentially flawed parts. I mention calibration because 3D printers of all stripes have to be calibrated A LOT. I am sure there are preventive maintenance schedules from the OEMs, but 3D printing is extra critical because as many have said, "every layer is a potential for failure" and with high stress parts critical to safety (such as on an airplane) that is a HUGE liability. That is why Sigma Labs' work is so important. Additionally the fact that they are working with 3D Sim is great-- because 3D Sim's software handles the front end-- the CAD type stuff for AM-- what each part is supposed to be like in its finished form (a little like Comsol or whatever) but their work will be what tells Sigma's programs what "in spec" actually looks like... so in synching them together/making them able to communicate, Sigma's software can know what to flag, essentially. That is my impression at any rate.
