Phase3D, a Chicago developer of inspection technology, has launched a new generation of its Fringe Inspection platform with purpose-built hardware for laser powder bed fusion printers. Projector, computer and storage now sit in one unit, replacing the commercial parts used before. The aim is easier integration by machine makers and rollout across larger fleets.
What changed in the hardware
The earlier system relied on off-the-shelf components. The new one combines a custom projector with an industrial PC, GPU, memory and storage in a passively cooled aluminium housing. M12 connectors carry camera, power, network and control signals. It offers four hardware trigger channels for 5 to 24 V, plus software triggers and sensors that react to distance and light, so it can adapt to different machine interfaces.
What the system measures
Fringe Inspection records the height profile of the build surface layer by layer. Engineers can locate anomalies, follow how they develop between layers and judge how large the deviation is. The measuring principle is unchanged; only the packaging is redesigned.
Funding, NASA work and Formnext
The redesign follows a 2.9 million dollar funding round in June 2026, meant to move from custom builds to standardised production. Phase3D also takes part in NASA qualification research covering more than 50,000 layers on an EOS M300-4 quad-laser printer, testing whether height data correlates with CT results after the build. Before Formnext 2026 the company invites machine makers and users to discuss integration.
What it means
For manufacturers adopting metal AM, in-situ monitoring that machine makers build in is easier to qualify than a retrofit. Height data per layer could eventually reduce reliance on CT, but the NASA study has not yet shown that, so no cost saving should be assumed. Smaller EU firms will mainly meet this through machine choice, so they should ask vendors what monitoring is supported and how data enters their quality records.
Frequently asked questions
What is new in Phase3D's Fringe Inspection platform?
It uses purpose-built hardware that combines a projector, industrial PC, GPU, memory and storage in one passively cooled unit, replacing separate commercial components.
What is the NASA research about?
It covers more than 50,000 inspected layers on an EOS M300-4 and examines whether in-situ height measurements reliably match post-build CT results at production scale.