Sigma Labs Inc (SASI)

[sttone]

I am not as good as jjsmith77 and hope that he will do his DD on this pr for what it can mean but here is a simple presentation

lets look at the SGLB - Michigan Tech pr today

it states , paraphrasing and combining sentences,

a low cost ($1500) open source 3D metal printer based on gas metal arc welding technology (It is not for everyone due to the technical complexity) for near-net shape parts. (Again not for everybody.) that requires ONLY 3- to 5- shape machining to take the parts to final form. DIRECTLY focused on currently untapped market of tens of thousands of users presently dissuaded by the high cost barriers to entry of 3D laser powder bed solutions and with identified manufacturing sources capable of production.

open source means that the detailed plans, software and firmware are all freely available to anyone to make their own metal 3D printer (BUT without SGLB PRINTRITE 3D) How about a whole new source of smart phone apps?

near-net shape parts is defined as an industrial technique such that the initial production of the item is very close to the final (net) shape reducing the need for surface finishing, i.e., machining or grinding thus eliminating more than 2/3 of the production costs in some industries
http://www.rolls-royce.com/about/technology/manu_tech/net_shape_manufacture.jsp

as an aside, HP, take a look at this as your way into a 3D printer into every home.
http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2013/july/story93519.html and
http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2013/october/story98177.html

I hope that this is clear