Phase3D and DMG MORI enter AM research collaboration initiative
Bringing together expertise in industrial manufacturing and in-situ inspection to reach data-driven reliability for AM, at scale
Phase3D, a Chicago-based startup creating real-time inspection technology for powder-based additive manufacturing, and DMG MORI, a global leader in advanced machining technologies, have entered a new research collaboration initiative aimed at advancing AM technology. The collaboration between Phase3D and DMG MORI brings together expertise in industrial manufacturing and in-situ inspection to reach data-driven reliability for AM, at scale.
The research cooperation, established in July 2022, is part of a project that focuses on how in-situ inspection helps understand the impacts of print bed anomalies (i.e., recoater blade vibrations or damage, improper melting, spatter, protrusions, and/or misprint artifacts). Project Fringe, Phase3D’s flagship in-situ inspection technology, is designed to detect these anomalies in real time to reduce lead time and overall final part scrap, increase the speed of parameter selection, and indicate when printer re-calibration is needed.
Last year, Phase3D’s Project Fringe was selected by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to develop and integrate the in-situ monitoring technology for AM into on-site production powder bed fusion 3D printers – to support the flight-ready production of high-performance copper components for NASA’s Liquid Propulsion Technology platforms.
In May, last year, Phase3D was also selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop and integrate machine vision technology for AM at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex for defense and commercial applications.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with DMG MORI on this research initiative”, said Dr. Niall O’Dowd, Founder and CEO of Phase3D. “By combining our expertise in structural health monitoring and in-situ inspection for powder-based AM with DMG MORI’s history in industrial machine manufacturing, we believe this will help more companies adopt AM for final part production.”
“DMG MORI USA is excited to work with Phase3D and further understand the capabilities and benefits of in-situ inspection“, said Fred Carter, Head of Research and Development at DMG MORI Additive Solutions.
The companies have installed Phase3D’s Project Fringe in-situ inspection system on DMG MORI’s LASERTEC 30 SLM at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
