The Barnes Group Advisors and Expanse Microtechnologies announced a joint partnership to help the additive manufacturing community chart a path forward to superior product quality and consistency through enhanced process knowledge.

Today, The Barnes Group Advisors, experts and consultants to the 3D printing sector, and Expanse Microtechnologies, experts in the use of X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning as a tool to assess the properties and quality of 3D printed parts, announced a joint partnership to help the additive manufacturing (AM) community chart a path forward to superior product quality and consistency through enhanced process knowledge.

The Barnes Group Advisors will now offer Expanse Microtechnologies X-ray CT scanning solutions as part of a package to help companies using additive manufacturing develop a robust manufacturing process.

"For years, we have used CT to develop processes for AM. We are now seeing past the tip of the iceberg, learning the full power of the tool," said John Barnes, Founder and Managing Director of The Barnes Group Advisors. "Now that we have been working with Expanse, we feel there is a common link between our organizations and have decided to take the next step in our relationship to help the AM industry grow safely. We are excited to offer the industry the combined expertise from Expanse with our own materials and process knowledge."

"We look forward to working with industry leader, The Barnes Group Advisors," said James Hinebaugh, President of Expanse Microtechnologies. "We firmly believe that the CT scanning of printed parts will dramatically improve the process of 3D printing and help people stabilize the massive investment they have made in metal 3D printers."

Expanse Microtechnologies and The Barnes Group Advisors have signed a partnership agreement for characterizing 3D printed parts. The partnership benefits Expanse Microtechnologies by offering additive manufacturing consulting services to its clients through The Barnes Group Advisors. The consulting service provided by The Barnes Group Advisors gives more depth to the interpretation and understanding of Expanse's characterization results in terms of the client's overall additive manufacturing process. The Barnes Group Advisors are now able to offer high quality characterization services through Expanse. X-ray CT scanning analysis expertise is rare in this industry, and The Barnes Group Advisors now has the tools to acquire or interpret CT data.

For people in the industry, this new partnership will help pave a new path forward for the 3D printing process and a companys ability to conduct effective and efficient studies on the analysis and inspection of parts produced by 3D printers.

About The Barnes Group Advisors
The Barnes Group Advisors (TBGA) is the global leader in technology, systems & economics for Additive Manufacturing and member of America Makes. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has presence in Australia, the United Kingdom, Austin, TX, Phoenix, AZ and State College, PA. TBGA is comprised of seasoned specialists with over 70 years of experience in additive manufacturing, and leverages its staff of aerospace OEM trained, hands-on, AM engineering skills to help companies work through their AM adoption strategy via powder, metallurgy, requirements, mechanics, techno-economics, design and leadership and strategy. http://www.thebarnes.group

About Expanse Microtechnologies Inc.
Expanse Microtechnologies Inc. provides unparalleled analyses of X-ray CT data focused on improving the understanding of additive manufacturing processes and advanced materials. A member of Canada Makes, Expanse is headquartered in Toronto, ON, with a presence in Waterloo, ON and Victoria, BC. Expanse staff have more than 40 years experience in the acquisition and analysis of X-ray CT data and development of advanced materials and their processing methods. At Expanse, research and industry expertise is devoted to providing customers with the critical analyses needed to guide their product, materials, and process developments. http://www.expansemicro.com