Sigma Labs, Aerojet Rocketdyne continue to team on U.S. Air Force applications
NewsMarch 06, 2017
SANTA FE, N.M. Sigma Labs, a company that develops analytical tools and quality-inspection systems for aerospace components made using metal 3-D printing technology, has received a contract from Aerojet Rocketdyne of Sacramento, California, for a nonexclusive license of Sigma's PrintRite3D software applications. Terms of the award were not disclosed.
The Sigma Labs technology will be used as part of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s contract with the U.S. Air Force to define more efficient processes for qualifying 3-D (also known as "additive manufacturing" or "AM") components and is slated to be evaluated for liquid-fueled rocket engine applications. The Air Force's initiative is part of a plan to transition away from the Russian-made RD-180 engines that are currently used on the Atlas V launch vehicle.
In a separate deal, Sigma Labs received an order from Aerojet Rocketdyne under its ongoing “America Makes” additive-manufacturing research project with GE Aviation. The program, funded by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII), uses Sigma Labs’ proprietary In-Process Quality Assurance (IPQA) software for advanced AM inspection.
