Phase3D Secures $2.9M for Metal AM Inspection in ASEAN

Advancing Metal Additive Manufacturing in ASEAN with Phase3D's $2.9M Funding Boost \\[1] Chicago-based Phase3D, a developer of 3D printing quality assurance software, has successfully closed a $2.9 million funding round. Led by Quest Venture Partners, the round also saw participation from Trinity Capital, Kinisis Ventures, Leroy Street Capital Partners, Asimov Ventures, and others. This significant investment will enable Phase3D to scale up the manufacturing of its Fringe Inspection sensor, a structured-light heightmap sensor, and enhance its software and data science capabilities. \\[2] For factories in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, this development could be a game-changer. The Fringe Inspection technology, which is mounted directly on the printer, captures surface heightmap data at each layer of a metal powder bed fusion (PBF) build. This continuous, non-intrusive monitoring allows operators to detect anomalies as they develop, rather than waiting for post-process CT inspection. The technology can help validate internal channel geometries, identify spatter particles that could compromise fatigue life, and ensure powder bed uniformity across the full build plate. \\[3] Phase3D already serves 25 enterprise customers across aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors, including collaborations with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and national laboratories such as Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The company's strong customer base and partnerships underscore the potential of its technology to move metal additive manufacturing from prototyping to 'born qualified' components. \\[4] Ray Farrell, a partner at Carter DeLuca with over 25 years of experience in intellectual property and commercial product launches, joins Phase3D's Board of Directors. His appointment aims to build a robust IP infrastructure to support the company's commercial growth. \\[5] Ben Ferrar, COO and CFO of Phase3D, highlighted the shift in the company's operations, moving from custom builds to standardized manufacturing. "This investment enables us to scale up manufacturing as we drive to become the industry standard for in-situ inspection," Ferrar said. Founder and CEO Dr. Niall O’Dowd added, "This investment will catalyze faster adoption of real-time quality inspection for additive manufacturing, and we are very excited for the future." \\[6] For ASEAN factories, the implications are clear. As metal additive manufacturing scales toward serial production of mission-critical components, the cost and time savings from in-process inspection can be substantial. Post-process inspection, which often accounts for more than half the total cost of a qualified part, can be significantly reduced. This means faster, more reliable qualification workflows and lower overall production costs. \\[7] In the broader context, initiatives like Additive Industries' integration of Additive Assurance’s AMiRIS optical monitoring system and ASTRO America's QTIME-funded project to reduce inspection times for LPBF parts are further evidence of the industry's push toward real-time quality control. \\[8] For factory buyers in ASEAN, the takeaway is straightforward: investing in advanced in-process inspection technologies like Phase3D's Fringe Inspection can lead to significant improvements in quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As the metal additive manufacturing industry moves toward certified, build-ready components, early adopters in ASEAN stand to gain a competitive edge.