Velo3D, a pace-setter in additive manufacturing for mission-critical metal parts, has teamed up with the U.S. Navy to advance the production of copper-nickel (CuNi) ship components through large-format 3D printing. The agreement, valued at $6 million, involves the purchase of a Sapphire XC printer and a service plan to support research, qualification, and fabrication efforts for naval applications.
CuNi alloys are acclaimed in maritime settings for their resistance to seawater corrosion, but conventional casting methods have proved slow, costly, and often requiring extensive rework. Using its Rapid Production Solution (RPS), Velo3D commits to producing these parts faster and more reliably, improving shipbuilding schedules and supply chain resilience.
“Velo3D is proud to be the first U.S.-based OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Bed Fusion solutions to qualify CuNi for its systems,” Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D, said in a press release. “Through our Rapid Production Solution, we are helping provide faster part delivery, enhanced reliability, and the surge capacity needed to meet evolving defense demands.”
The Sapphire XC printer is able to produce parts up to 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm tall; this machine could become the first of its size to qualify CuNi. With Velo3D’s live process monitoring and LPBF technology, the system makes high-fidelity prints while maintaining secure connections to military networks, meeting stringent DoD cybersecurity standards.
“The collaboration ensures supply chain independence by sourcing metal powder domestically and keeps all production within the United States,” said the company. “By leveraging additive manufacturing, we can help modernize ship maintenance and reduce repair delays that impact fleet readiness.”
This partnership propels Velo3D to the forefront of digital shipbuilding, giving the company a chance to demonstrate how advanced 3D printing can deliver large, corrosion-resistant parts faster than traditional methods.
