New Industrial Printer Laser-Prints Metal to 1 Meter High
April 30, 2020Comments
From Velo3D comes the next-generation Sapphire laser-powder additive manufacturing (AM) machine, with the ability to print metal to 1 meter high. The company announced Knust-Godwin, a producer of precision tools and components, as the first customer. The Katy, TX, manufacturer is expected to take delivery of the printer by year’s end, using it initially to produce an oilfield-drilling part currently manufactured by more than five subtractive processes.
The meter-tall Sapphire printer includes a 315-mm-dia. build plate, dual 1-kW lasers, in-situ optical calibration and many of the same characteristics of the existing Sapphire machine. Upon delivery, it will be the world’s tallest production metal-powder laser AM system, according to Velo3D officials, who expect commercial availability of the machine, compatible with nickel-based alloys, late in 2020.
See also: Velo3D
Technologies: Additive Manufacturing
