Velo3D delivers Sapphire 1MZ metal 3D printer to NIAR, aimed at fundamentally changing aerospace manufacturing.
Velo3D In a potentially industry-shifting development, Velo3D (NYSE: VLD) announced that the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has brought its System 1 Solution Series machine. The deal, a strategic sale for the Silicon Valley firm could pave them way into entire aerospace industry.
The Sapphire 1MZ, capable of building parts up to one meter in height, will be used by NIAR for Inconel 718 applications. This isn’t just any ordinary sale – NIAR, with its $350 million annual budget and deep ties to federal R&D projects, stands at the forefront of advanced manufacturing research.
Lauren Tubesing, NIAR’s Business Development Lead for Advanced Manufacturing, emphasized the institute’s focus on supporting US aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries. “By leveraging Velo3D’s solution to better understand the nuisances within the [AM] process, we can help build confidence in 3D-printed parts, thereby accelerating the adoption of this advanced manufacturing technology,” Tubesing stated.
Velo3D’s CEO, Brad Kreger, hit the nail on the head when he highlighted the significance of this partnership: “Qualifying 3D-printed parts for production use is a massive challenge and something that has greatly impeded broad adoption of [AM] for commercial aviation… The work NIAR will conduct will not only be invaluable to their organization, but the entire industry.”
This deal comes at a crucial time for Velo3D. The company recently noted “delays in the funding of certain governmental projects” as a challenge for the remainder of 2024. However, the NIAR sale demonstrates that opportunities still abound within the public sector, especially with well-funded organizations like NIAR.
For Velo3D, this partnership isn’t just a single sale; it’s a gateway to the entire aerospace industry. NIAR’s work with organizations like the US Army and NASA means that the impact of this collaboration could be significant.
The additive manufacturing community will be closely observing this partnership. This could mean a broader adoption of metal 3D printing for aerospace. Could this deployment of Velo3D’s technology at NIAR be the dawn of a new era in aerospace manufacturing.
Content Source- NIAR
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Alexa Sipes is a U.S. tech journalist with 5 years of experience, now writing for 360TechInsights. She covers emerging technologies and industry trends across North America, Europe, and Asia. Sipes’ concise reporting offers readers valuable insights into the latest tech news, innovations and the companies behind them.
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