Velo3D Sells Additive Manufacturing System to Oil & Gas Company

Velo3D, Inc. announces that Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Technology (SBOT), provider of high-precision components for the oil and gas industry, has purchased a Sapphire XC large-format printer to expand its additive manufacturing capabilities. The new Sapphire XC printer is calibrated to print metal parts in Inconel 718 and will support demand for 3D-printed parts from SBOT customers.

The company's latest printer enhances production capabilities, delivering high-volume parts at a reduced cost. It also supports the printing of large-scale components up to 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm in height.

SBOT has expertise in manufacturing high-quality components for the oil and gas industry, including more than a decade of experience offering additive manufacturing capabilities. In addition to its operations in Europe, the company’s subsidiary, Knust-Godwin, operates a fleet of printers from Velo3D in its Katy, TX, facility. After seeing the print capabilities and adoption of Velo3D’s technology in the U.S., SBOT became a Velo3D contract manufacturer in Europe in November 2021 with the purchase of a Sapphire printer calibrated to print in Inconel 718. By adding a Sapphire XC printer, SBOT can  scale the production of parts previously printed and qualified on the Sapphire printer.

"Additive manufacturing continues to see growing adoption and through Velo3D's Sapphire XC 3D printer, our team can scale up the production of parts for customers with the Sapphire XC’s 400% throughput increase over the original Sapphire,” says Campbell MacPherson, SBO executive vice president of Advanced Manufacturing. “It will also increase the addressable use-cases for metal additive manufacturing by unlocking the capability of producing larger parts, allowing us to maintain our position as a leader in the industry.”

The Sapphire XC 3D printer offers SBOT geometric design freedom, enabling production of complex parts with precision and efficiency with a large print volumey. The contract manufacturer also offers conventional manufacturing capabilities like CNC milling and turning, heat treatment, material testing, and polishing. This allows SBOT to deliver finished, ready-to-use parts to customers.

"We are thrilled to partner with SBOT and expand our presence in Europe with our first Sapphire XC installation at a contract manufacturer,” says Benny Buller, founder and CEO of Velo3D. “SBOT's commitment to delivering high-quality components aligns perfectly with our mission to enable manufacturers to unlock the full potential of their products through additive manufacturing. We are confident the Sapphire XC's advanced capabilities will empower SBOT to achieve new heights of innovation and excellence in their manufacturing processes."

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.