Mears Machine Enhances Its Additive Manufacturing Capabilities With the Purchase of Its Third Velo3D Sapphire XC Metal 3D Printer
Mears Machine has acquired its third Velo3D Sapphire XC metal 3D printer. This large-format printer will use Aheadd CP1 aluminum alloy, enhancing Mears Machine's capacity for critical defense-related projects. Aheadd CP1's reduced post-printing heat treatment and improved electrical and thermal properties make it ideal for mission-critical parts. Velo3D's scalable manufacturing solution allows Mears to easily increase production volume, helping customers navigate supply chain challenges. The Sapphire XC printer's large format and unique print capabilities, including eight 1-kilowatt lasers, position Mears as a leader in advanced additive manufacturing.
- Acquisition of a third Velo3D Sapphire XC printer enhances Mears Machine's additive manufacturing capabilities.
- Use of Aheadd CP1 aluminum alloy reduces post-printing heat treatment requirements and improves electrical and thermal conductivity.
- Velo3D's scalable solution allows for easy production volume increases, aiding in supply chain management.
- Sapphire XC's unique print capabilities and large format support the production of complex, high-quality components.
- None.
Insights
Mears Machine Corporation's acquisition of a third Velo3D Sapphire XC printer represents a significant investment, signaling their commitment to advanced manufacturing technologies. This investment comes at a time when additive manufacturing (3D printing) is rapidly evolving and becoming more critical in various industries, including defense. The purchase indicates that Mears Machine is positioning itself to capture a larger market share by leveraging advanced technology to improve efficiency and product quality.
From a financial perspective, the immediate capital expenditure could impact short-term cash flows, but the expected improvement in operational efficiency and production scalability could drive long-term revenue growth. The strategic move aligns well with current trends of supply chain optimization and the increasing demand for high-precision components.
The Velo3D Sapphire XC's capability for producing parts with Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 aluminum alloy further diversifies Mears Machine's product offerings, allowing them to cater to high-critical programs, particularly in defense. This diversification can potentially lead to higher margins and more stable revenue streams.
The integration of the Velo3D Sapphire XC printer into Mears Machine's operations highlights a pivotal shift towards more advanced manufacturing techniques. The Sapphire XC is renowned for its large-format printing capabilities, utilizing eight 1-kilowatt lasers, which significantly enhances the production speed and quality of complex metal parts. The configuration for Aheadd CP1 aluminum alloy is particularly noteworthy as it reduces post-printing heat treatment, resulting in parts with superior electrical and thermal conductivity, weldability and brazing properties.
This technical advantage is important for sectors like defense, where high-performance and reliable components are essential. The Velo3D's fully integrated solution allows for seamless scaling of production, which is a considerable advantage in meeting fluctuating demand without compromising on quality or increasing costs excessively.
For investors, the technological edge provided by the Sapphire XC could translate into a competitive advantage for Mears Machine, potentially opening up new markets and increasing their share in existing ones.
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
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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Investor Relations:
Velo3D
Bob Okunski, VP Investor Relations
investors@velo3d.com
Media Contact:
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Source: Velo3D, Inc.
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