Mears Machine Enhances Its Additive Manufacturing Capabilities With the Purchase of Its Third Velo3D Sapphire XC Metal 3D Printer
June 24 2024 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
The large-format printer will be configured for Aheadd CP1,
supports the continued development of critical defense-related
high-critical programs and opportunities initiated by Velo3D
Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE: VLD), a leading metal additive manufacturing
technology company for mission-critical parts, today announced
Mears Machine Corporation, a leader in precision machining
solutions, has acquired a Sapphire XC printer to bolster its
additive manufacturing capabilities. This strategic investment
underscores Mears Machine’s commitment to adopting advanced
manufacturing technologies and follows the previous purchase of two
Velo3D Sapphire XCs announced earlier this year.
The new Velo3D Sapphire XC printer at Mears Machine will be
configured to produce parts in Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 aluminum
alloy. Compared to other aluminum alloys used in additive
manufacturing (like those that incorporate magnesium and silicon)
printing parts in Aheadd CP1 greatly reduces post-printing heat
treatment requirements. In addition, the one-step heat treatment
results in parts with an almost-pure aluminum matrix, which
provides high electrical and thermal conductivity. Printed parts
also have better weldability and brazing properties due to the lack
of magnesium and silicon. Velo3D sees significant opportunities for
parts in Aheadd CP1, including many that support critical
defense-related programs that the company has initiated for the
aluminum alloy.
“Integrating the Velo3D Sapphire XC printer into our operations
represents a significant leap forward in our ability to meet the
evolving needs of our customers,” said Roger Mears, CEO of Mears
Machine Corporation. “This technology empowers us to efficiently
deliver complex, high-quality components to our customers,
positioning us as a leading partner in the additive manufacturing
landscape. As our customers’ part needs increase, we can easily
increase production volume with Velo3D’s highly scalable additive
manufacturing solution, which makes it unique in the industry.”
Velo3D’s fully integrated solution—which combines software,
hardware, and printing processes—enables unparalleled scalability
and affordability. Once a part has been qualified on a Velo3D
printer, production can be easily scaled across any system of the
same model of printer that is configured for the same alloy. This
capability is crucial for Mears Machine’s customers who seek to
affordably scale production of additively manufactured components
while navigating supply chain challenges.
“As precision machine shops look to adopt advanced manufacturing
technologies, like 3D printing, we are pleased to support their
mission to modernize and better serve their customers,” said Brad
Kreger, CEO of Velo3D. “We are thrilled to partner with Mears
Machine as they integrate a third Sapphire XC printer into their
operations. Our technology is designed to empower manufacturers
like Mears Machine to achieve new levels of productivity and
innovation through additive manufacturing.”
The Velo3D Sapphire XC printer sets itself apart in the laser
powder bed fusion industry with its unique print capabilities and
large format. The printer uses eight 1-kilowatt lasers and can
produce parts 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm in height, with the
option of 1,000 mm in height for the Sapphire XC 1MZ.
About Velo3D:
Velo3D is a metal 3D printing technology company. 3D
printing—also known as additive manufacturing (AM)—has a unique
ability to improve the way high-value metal parts are built.
However, legacy metal AM has been greatly limited in its
capabilities since its invention almost 30 years ago. This has
prevented the technology from being used to create the most
valuable and impactful parts, restricting its use to specific
niches where the limitations were acceptable.
Velo3D has overcome these limitations so engineers can design
and print the parts they want. The company’s solution unlocks a
wide breadth of design freedom and enables customers in space
exploration, aviation, power generation, energy, and semiconductor
to innovate the future in their respective industries. Using
Velo3D, these customers can now build mission-critical metal parts
that were previously impossible to manufacture. The fully
integrated solution includes the Flow print preparation software,
the Sapphire family of printers, and the Assure quality control
system—all of which are powered by Velo3D’s Intelligent Fusion
manufacturing process. The company delivered its first Sapphire
system in 2018 and has been a strategic partner to innovators such
as SpaceX, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin, Avio, and General
Motors. Velo3D has been named as one of Fast Company’s Most
Innovative Companies for 2023. For more information, please visit
Velo3D.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn or Twitter.
VELO, VELO3D, SAPPHIRE and INTELLIGENT FUSION, are registered
trademarks of Velo3D, Inc.; and WITHOUT COMPROMISE, FLOW, FLOW
DEVELOPER, and ASSURE are trademarks of Velo3D, Inc. All Rights
Reserved © Velo3D, Inc.
Aheadd is a registered trademark of Constellium SE.
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