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Digital Engineering April 2026
In the latest issue of Digital Engineering, we take a look at the latest innovations in design for additive manufacturing, including the use of natural language inputs, social media cosplayers, and AI integration. The issue also includes a feature…
January Special Focus Issue: Design for Additive
In this Special Focus Issue of Digital Engineering, learn about the latest advancements in design for additive manufacturing, including new software tools, additive in automotive, custom medical devices, and more.
Velo3D introduces the next generation of its Sapphire industrial 3D printer, featuring an industry-leading 1-meter-tall build chamber. Velo3D says this new printer is a response to the trade-off many industrial users face when needing 3D printing of mission-critical metal parts that require specialty metals.
Larger-format “open air” 3D metal printers are available, but the Sapphire will be the largest closed-chamber printer that works with advanced metals. Target markets for the new printer include aerospace and oil/gas. Velo3D says other precision industries that require a tightly controlled, gas-regulated printing environment for large parts will also benefit.
Velo3D says the 1 meter, closed chamber build chamber in the new Sapphire exceeds the build height of both the SLM 800 and the GE Additive X Line 2000R.
Precision tool and component manufacturer Knust-Godwin will be the launch customer for the new printer. The initial application will be to make a specific oilfield drilling part that is currently manufactured by more than five subtractive processes. Knust-Godwin says in a statement announcing the launch that moving to the Sapphire for building this part “enables consolidation of such traditional processes improving part quality and part performance.”
“There tends to be a trade-off between large-format additive machines and part quality,” says Mike Corliss, vice president of Technology at Knust-Godwin. “We have confidence that we will be able to build mission-critical industrial parts without compromise made to part quality.”
The 1-meter-tall build chamber will extend the operating capabilities of the existing Sapphire 3D printer, which include a 315-mm-diameter build plate, dual 1 kW lasers, and in-situ optical calibration. The new Sapphire will be compatible with nickel-based alloys. Velo3D’s “Intelligent Fusion” process eliminates the need for supports in most builds.
The new Sapphire will be commercially available in late 2020.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.
From software to hardware to complete product support, Velo3D is a fully integrated Metal AM manufacturing solution that gives designers and engineers unparalleled freedom to create what was previously considered "impossible".
DE's editors contribute news and new product announcements to Digital Engineering. Press releases may be sent to them via [email protected].
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