Sigma Labs and Materialise partner to commercialize PrintRite3D monitoring

Sigma Labs announced a move from long-term validation to full commercialization of its PrintRite3D in-process quality assurance software by signing a joint sales agreement with Materialise. The deal brings PrintRite3D’s layer-level thermal and melt-pool analytics into Materialise’s control platform, creating a path for retrofit installs and direct OEM integrations across a wide range of metal additive manufacturing hardware.

PrintRite3D monitors melt-pool and layer-by-layer behavior in real time using thermal signatures and AI to detect anomalies as builds progress. That capability lets operators stop or correct defective builds mid-process rather than discovering faults after printing and relying solely on post-process inspection. The practical payoff is immediate: lower scrap rates, improved first-pass yields, and a shorter path through lengthy qualification cycles that keep many metal AM jobs expensive and slow.

Integrating PrintRite3D with Materialise’s control platform opens commercial distribution channels that can reach both existing machine fleets and new OEM-equipped systems. For service bureaus and shops running mixed hardware, retrofit options mean older machines can gain in-process visibility without full replacement. For OEMs, embedding layer-level monitoring into machine control gives a route to closed-loop process control and richer data for part certification.

The shift matters most where qualification and traceability are costly and highly regulated. Aerospace, medical, and defense suppliers facing tough non-destructive testing regimes stand to see the biggest operational improvements. By reducing the volume of parts that must undergo exhaustive post-process inspection, shops can reallocate inspection resources, cut lead times, and improve throughput on production runs where material and machine time are expensive.

Adoption will hinge on integration effort, data management, and how shops revise their quality workflows. Expect early deployments to focus on high-value parts and qualification builds, using PrintRite3D’s analytics to build confidence in process stability before scaling across production. Retrofit installs will likely be the quickest route to measurable savings, while OEM-integrated systems will standardize the capability across new machines over time.

The takeaway? This agreement pushes in-process monitoring from niche validation work into practical shop-floor tools that can actually cut scrap and speed qualification. Our two cents? Trial the system on lower-risk builds, map the data into your quality documentation, and start measuring how much inspection time and rework you can actually shave off.