FREMONT, Calif. - Velo3D, Inc, an additive manufacturing technology company for mission-critical metal parts, has entered a contract, valued at $6M USD, to develop and qualify copper nickel alloy (CuNi) for use in its line of Sapphire printers. The agreement, which includes qualifying the alloy for use in Velo3D's large-format Laser Powder-Bed Fusion (LPBF) Sapphire XC printer, supports the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base Program's efforts to accelerate ship repairs.
CuNi is leveraged in naval applications due to its exceptional seawater corrosion resistance. However, traditional casting of CuNi presents significant manufacturing challenges, often requiring extensive rework, increasing total costs and lead times. Velo3D's Rapid Production Solution (RPS) can develop and produce these parts in less time than traditional casting sourcing and can be used to improve shipbuilding schedules and supply chain resiliency.
Velo3D's RPS leverages its systems, expertise, and surge capacity solutions to enable scalable production of mission-critical parts that support U.S. Navy applications.
Arun Jeldi, Velo3D CEO, said, "Velo3D is proud to be the first U.S.-based OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Bed Fusion additive manufacturing solutions to develop CuNi for its systems. Through our Rapid Production Solution, we are helping provide faster part delivery, enhanced reliability, and the surge capacity needed to meet evolving defense demands."
The CuNi qualification process is being performed by Velo3D's U.S.-based development team in Fremont, California. The effort is also conducted in collaboration with a domestic, openly sourced metal powder supplier, ensuring supply chain independence for the Navy.
All Sapphire printers are assembled in the United States, and the large-format Sapphire XC—capable of printing parts up to 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm in height—could be the first printer of its size to qualify CuNi parts. This advancement significantly expands addressable applications, enabling larger part production while offering the many benefits of LPBF technology, such as higher fidelity printing and Velo3D's best in class layer-by-layer in-situ process monitoring.
Velo3D's systems meet DoD cybersecurity standards and can connect securely to military networks, ensuring integrity and security for critical manufacturing operations.
