Sigma Labs Inc (SASI)

[GetRich1day]

Silversmith. Yes, I agree. It is subject to interpretation. I'm viewing it that the first orders will come for a production run. GE is under pressure from Boeing to deliver those LEAP engines. We know this and BTW I'm giving the background for those who do not know. I know that you are well aware of this:

The CFM LEAP engine which GE Aviation is building the fuel nozzles for is being assembled for Airbus, Boeing and COMAC.

The CFM LEAP family represents the engines of choice for the next-generation single-aisle aircraft. The LEAP-1A is an option on the Airbus A320neo; the LEAP-1B is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX; and the LEAP-1C is the sole Western powerplant for the COMAC C919. These engines had garnered more than 8,000 operates from more than 50 customers across the globe.

http://www.cfmaeroengines.com/engines/leap

Boeing is in direct competition with Airbus and is running behind; thus, my theory that they are pressing CFM to expediate their production process.

Heated competition
The MAX’s first flight comes just nine days after the first delivery of the rival Airbus A320neo to German carrier Lufthansa, underlining the fact that development of the Boeing jet is running more than 18 months behind its competition.
In addition to that head start, Airbus’s neo has consistently won more orders than Boeing‘s MAX, opening up a widening advantage for the European jet maker in this market segment.

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-737-max-takes-off-on-first-flight/

Boeing is ramping up quickly this year and next year they need to make delivers to their customers next year.

On December 2, 2015, the first Boeing 737 MAX was rolled out. During the roll out, Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager, 737 MAX, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, explained: “Today marks another in a long series of milestones that our team has achieved on time, per plan, together. With the rollout of the new 737 MAX – the first new airplane of Boeing’s second century – our team is upholding an incredible legacy while taking the 737 to the next level of performance.”

The first MAX was painted in Boeing’s MAX house livery similar to the Dreamliner livery, but uses teal instead of blue.

The aircraft, 1A001, has been undergoing pre-flight preparation and testing since rolling-out of the factory. After type certification, it will go to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the third quarter of 2017. The next 2 aircraft are in final assembly with the 4th entering soon.

http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2016/01/27/737-max-timeline/

Boeing launched a third assembly line which is supposed to be temporary but they are considering making it permanent to make deliveries to their customers.

A fast ramp-up
The third assembly line will allow the production rate in Renton to climb to 52 jets per month in 2018 and possibly past 60 per month by the end of the decade.


Leverkuhn said about 1,400 people were working on the MAX at peak during the design phase. That figure is declining as MAX engineering winds down and Boeing switches its engineering focus to the 777X in Everett.

For the MAX, the focus is now on production and getting ready to ramp up.

Greg Batcher, head of MAX manufacturing, said 241 people currently work on the final-assembly line.

About 190 of those are experienced mechanics who have worked producing the current 737 model for years.

About 50 are new employees hired for the MAX production line and given six months of training.

Those numbers should grow as the third assembly line fills with planes.


Leverkuhn said Boeing will build the first airplanes relatively slowly to understand all the intricacies of the new assembly process, then will ramp up quickly.

“The first airplane went together very, very well,” he said. “The second one is going together even better.

“This is the closest thing we’ve got to automotive production (rates),” Leverkuhn added. “We are going to have to hit 52 (jets per month), and it’s going to have to happen fast.”

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-unveils-the-first-737-max-and-its-new-production-line/

Even Airbus Chief Fabrice Bregier acknowledged that outside players were piling pressure on the European group and U.S. rival Boeing, which is the biggest airline in the world in terms of deliveries. The likes of Brazilian firm Embraer has emerged as the world's number three plane manufacturer and COMAC has stepped up its operations.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/09/is-chinas-first-plane-a-real-threat-to-boeing-and-airbus.html

Airbus expects start acclerating production of the A320neo in earnest in the second half of the year. In the first six months of 2016 Airbus wants to ensure production processes “stabilize” at its own factories and at those of its engine suppliers, COO Tom Williams told AIN. He expressed confidence that both Pratt & Whitney and CFM International [offering the Leap 1A engine] can increase their output as expected. Plans call for the A320neo to entirely replace the current version in production starting in mid-2019.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2016-01-12/airbus-seeks-production-efficiencies-delivery-rise

The combination of Airbus LEAP engines and Boeing LEAP engines being built simultaneously indicates to me that GE Aviation has to get moving to mass production sooner than later. GE Aviation started their low-rate production runs probably just like Boeing "relatively slowly to understand all the intricacies of the new assembly process, then will ramp up quickly" I'm betting that GE Aviation production run orders will come within the next 12 months to meet the demands of Airbus, Boeing and COMAC. I will continue to monitor these three competitors as their actions indicate to me where and when PrintRite3D is able to be relevant in GE Aviation's production runs. IMHO but my estimates are based on the customer as PrintRite3D is based entirely on when the world is ready to mass produce metal AM parts. I still see Airbus and Boeing ramping up but quickly as there is money to be won and lost in this aerospace competition between these two powerhouses. I believe Mark is in "lockstep with GE"