Phase3D is integrating its Fringe Inspection™ layer-inspection system into EOS's metal additive manufacturing platforms, beginning with the EOS M4 ONYX. The two companies are sharing details of the collaboration around IMTS 2026 in Chicago, pairing EOS's metal printing hardware with Phase3D's structured-light method for measuring the powder bed as a build progresses.
Fringe Inspection uses structured light to scan the surface of the powder bed after each layer, capturing height data across the build rather than a flat image of it. Image-based process monitoring shows that something changed on the bed. Phase3D's dimensional data shows where a feature sits, how tall it is, and how it compares to the layer before it, and those measurements can be tracked layer over layer and cross-referenced against other process data collected during the build.
The integration goes beyond bundling the two systems together. Phase3D and EOS worked to integrate Fringe Inspection with the EOS platform and validate its operation within the system, rather than treating it as an add-on. For a process engineer running metal AM in production, that validation is the difference between a monitoring tool that flags anomalies after the fact and one that supplies dimensional evidence usable in a qualification file. The system generates calibrated height maps for every printed layer and can detect, classify, and measure deviations as they happen, feeding process development, defect investigation, and part qualification work, according to Metrology and Quality News.
"EOS symbolizes excellence in the additive manufacturing industry," said Niall O'Dowd, CEO of Phase3D. "Our partnership shows both companies are dedicated to advancing the additive manufacturing industry, together."
Michael Brennan, commercial director at Phase3D, framed the collaboration around actionable data rather than raw volume. "Manufacturers don't need more data for the sake of more data," Brennan said. "They need clear, actionable insight into the process so they can make better decisions with confidence. Quantitative inspection is an important part of moving additive manufacturing toward more scalable, production-ready applications."
The M4 ONYX integration marks the latest step in the Phase3D-EOS collaboration. Phase3D said more information on Fringe Inspection for additional EOS machines will be released as the work progresses.
