MetroLaser
Develops laser-based optical diagnostic and non-destructive evaluation systems, including the ASSURES authentication technology for in-situ quality control of additively manufactured metal parts.
- CEO / Founder
- Jacob George
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Established
- Total Funding
- $2.25M
- Latest Round
- Venture Round
- Key Investors
- US Department of Energy
Technology & Products
Key Products
ASSURES — AM part authentication/inspection system; LTS-100 — Laser Temperature Sensor; MetroDHM — digital holographic microscope; Holo4D — holographic measurement systems; MetroWavefront — wavefront sensor; Schlieren imaging instruments
Technological Advantage
MetroLaser's ASSURES technology applies laser acoustical resonance spectroscopy to identify rogue and defective components in additively manufactured parts, a capability developed under NASA SBIR awards and demonstrated with partner OMS Corporation. The core advantage is a non-contact, in-situ authentication method that does not require part disassembly or radiation shielding, positioning it against post-process CT inspection and melt-pool monitoring. The IP is likely protected as trade secrets and government-funded SBIR data rights rather than published patents; the approach may be replicable by well-funded metrology incumbents, but MetroLaser's 30-year track record in laser diagnostics and space-qualified instrumentation creates switching costs in government programs.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
For AM part manufacturers and space/aerospace programs, MetroLaser's ASSURES reduces risk of rogue/defective parts by providing rapid, non-contact acoustic resonance screening, lowering reliance on expensive post-process CT inspection and improving mission assurance.
How They Differentiate
MetroLaser's ASSURES uses non-contact laser acoustical resonance spectroscopy for rapid detection of rogue/defective AM parts; unlike Sigma Labs' in-process melt-pool monitoring (PrintRite3D) or post-process X-ray/CT inspection from Zeiss/Waygate, it can authenticate parts without radiation safety overhead and can be adapted for in-space AM quality control.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
NASA, U.S. Department of Defense, aerospace OEMs, metal AM part producers and AM service bureaus
Industry Verticals
Aerospace/Defense; Space; Automotive; Research/Government Labs
Competitors
Sigma Labs, Inc.; Waygate Technologies (Baker Hughes); ZEISS Industrial Quality & Research
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Listed in NASA SBIR 2025-I Solicitation as a selected firm; FY2024 SBIR award for 'Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Field...' (DOE SBIR/STTR Awards); Demonstrated diagnostic method for spatially resolved simultaneous measurements of density and velocity (AIAA Year in Review, Dec 2019)
Major Milestones
1988: Founded by Cecil Hess and James Trolinger; 2018: Awarded NASA SBIR Phase I for sound-based quality control of AM (80NSSC18P1987); Developed ASSURES AM authentication system with OMS Corporation; Active on NASA TechPort additive-manufacturing project: Acoustical Signature Analysis for In-Situ Monitoring and Quality Control for In-Space Additive Manufacturing
Notable Customers
NASA; U.S. Department of Defense; Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC)
Funding rounds
- Grant$1,149,8542024-02Lead: US Department of Energy · Source: a-leads.co
- Grant$1,099,9042023-02Lead: US Department of Energy · Source: a-leads.co