Phase3D, a Chicago-based developer of quality assurance software for 3D printing, has expanded its Fringe Inspection system to support Renishaw’s 500 series—including the 500Q, 500D, and 500Flex. The newly launched Fringe Inspection 500 Kit, developed in collaboration with research institution HRL Laboratories, supports the goals of the DARPA SURGE initiative, a U.S. Department of Defense program focused on advancing quality-assured additive manufacturing (AM) for mission-critical applications.
“This expansion into the Renishaw 500 line is a major step forward for our customers and for the industry,” said Niall O’Dowd, PhD, Founder and CEO of Phase3D. “We’ve built Fringe Inspection to meet manufacturers where they are, and now, that includes some of the most advanced powder bed fusion systems in production today. We are ecstatic to be involved in the historic DARPA SURGE initiative with HRL Laboratories”
Technical Features and Industry Benefits
The Fringe Inspection 500 Kit is built for quick and effortless setup, usually installed in under 24 hours. Its non-intrusive and fully reversible design enables manufacturers to return their Renishaw machines to their original state easily and without any downtime.
By delivering real-time, layer-by-layer visibility into the build process, Fringe Inspection also enables manufacturers to shift from reactive to proactive quality control, fostering more consistent and reliable part production in advanced AM workflows.
“Collaborating with Phase3D allowed us to unlock new insights into the printing process,” said Eric Clough, R&D Group Lead at HRL Laboratories. “Fringe Inspection augments our in-situ sensor suite with high-fidelity, layer-by-layer data, greatly enhancing our ability to assess part quality during printing.”
Strategic AM Partnerships with the RenAM 500
Through strategic partnerships, Renishaw has advanced the use of its RenAM 500 series. In 2023, KOSO Kent Introl (Kent Introl) partnered with Renishaw to explore how AM technology advances the oil & gas sector. By installing Renishaw’s RenAM 500Q Flex system in West Yorkshire, Kent Introl became the first UK oil and gas valve parts manufacturer to adopt AM technology. Kent Introl aims to meet industry demands for new solutions, energy efficiency, and carbon emission reduction, exploring AM’s potential in part design optimization and on-demand services.
Renishaw also supplied its RenAM 500Q AM system to Domin, a fluid power systems manufacturer for developing highly competitive servo-proportional hydraulic valves using 3D printing. Domin sought environmental sustainability, targeting a one gigatonne CO2e emissions reduction by 2030. Utilizing Metal AM, Domin aimed to design complex structures with high efficiency and reduced waste, combining additive manufacturing with modern technologies to create innovative hydraulic valves.
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Feature image shows Thermal data in the Fringe Inspection. Image via Phase3D.
