Velo3D, US Army Partnership Built on 3D Printing Solutions

Velo3D, Inc. has entered into a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) to develop and qualify additively manufactured complex parts and assemblies, addressing supply chain challenges affecting ground combat vehicles and other military systems, Velo3D reports. Upon completion and qualification of several prototype AM parts, the Velo3D AM alternatives will be available to the U.S. Army to insert into the supply chain for mitigation of current challenges.

The CRADA leverages Velo3D's Rapid Production Solution (RPS) to prototype alternatives to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. Additionally, the agreement includes collaboration to explore several Velo3D qualified alloys for use in Velo3D's Sapphire family of printers. Velo3D's RPS leverages its systems, expertise, and surge capacity solutions to enable scalable production of critical parts that would enable the Army's efforts to reduce supply chain challenges.

"Velo3D is proud to be the first U.S.-based industrial scale OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Bed Fusion additive manufacturing technologies to additively manufacture alternatives for the U.S. Army's ground vehicle supply chains," says Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. "Through our Rapid Production Solution, we are helping provide faster part delivery, enhanced reliability, and the surge capacity needed to meet evolving defense demands."

All Velo3D Sapphire printers are assembled in the United States and capable of printing parts up to 600 mm in diameter and 1 meter in height repeatably across the entire fleet of Velo3D Sapphire printers. This advancement expands addressable applications, enabling larger part production while offering benefits of LPBF technology, such as higher fidelity printing and Velo3D's layer-by-layer in-situ process monitoring.

Velo3D's systems meet Department of Defense cybersecurity standards and can connect securely to military networks.

This partnership represents Velo 3D's efforts to support the U.S. Army's maintenance modernization and reduce repair delays that impact the Army's combat vehicle fleet readiness.

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