Velo3D Releases End-to-End Metal Additive Manufacturing Solution

Velo3D has introduce an end-to-end metal additive manufacturing (AM) solution comprised of the Sapphire system, Flow print preparation software and Intelligent Fusion technology. Together the system helps ensure part-to-part consistency, process control and cost-effective manufacturing, the company says.

The Sapphire system is a laser powder-bed metal 3D printing system designed for high volume manufacturing. Sapphire is capable of building complex geometries including designs with overhangs that are less than five degrees and large inner diameters without supports, the company says. In situ process metrology enables closed-loop meltpool control for part-to-part consistency. The system contains a module that enables automated change-over with offline unpacking to maximize productivity.

Velo3D’s Flow print preparation software includes support generation, process selection, slicing and simulation of complex part designs to validate execution feasibility before the build. Geometrical feature-driven processing enables low angles below five degrees. In addition, deformation correction technology enables the user to produce parts without the need for iterations, the company says. Flow minimizes the need for supports, reducing typical support volume by three to five times, which removes or reduces the laborious postprocessing necessary with conventional approaches.

Enabling an end-to-end integrated workflow, Intelligent Fusion is the technology that powers Flow software and the Sapphire system. Intelligent Fusion optimizes the AM process by combining thermal process simulation, print prediction and closed-loop control during print execution.