Velo3D

Velo3D offers end-to-end metal additive manufacturing (AM) solutions (named intelligentFusion) consisting of 3D printers, related software, and an underlying intelligent manufacturing process for designers and engineers targeting space exploration, aviation, power generation, energy, semiconductor, and automotive use cases. Customers can either operate their own fleet of 3D printers or choose to manufacture parts on demand through Velo3D’s network of contract manufacturers.

Velo3D’s products include the patented Sapphire family of printers, Flow print preparation software, and Assure quality control system. The company’s Flow software and its proprietary protrusion-tolerant non-contact recoater (the mechanism that lays down a layer of fine powder) reportedly expand the range of applications that customers can slice and print on site. This includes printing low angles, thin walls, and large inner diameters without supports. Designers can pull from a standardized library of recipes and apply process parameters to optimize the designing process. It also allows the use of native CAD data without having to convert it to STL format, which claims to save time. The Assure quality control system provides real-time quality monitoring and control through multi-sensor detection algorithms offering visibility through every layer of the process. The printers support a range of metal materials including tool steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, and a mix of metals producing a proprietary blend.

In December 2023, the company achieved the US Department of Defense's (DoD) Green-level Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) Compliance for its Sapphire series of 3D printers, facilitating a secure connection of the printers to the DoD's Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet).

In February 2024, Velo3D released Flow Developer, a new solution for the company’s Flow print preparation software, which enables users to transfer their experience and knowledge from previous projects, develop new material processes, and control their optimization processes.

Key customers and partnerships

Velo3D operates through partner ecosystems that include a network of contract manufacturers, distribution and sales partners, and technical partners (like software and post-processing solution providers). Some of the key partners include nTopology, Geoengineer, Addman Engineering, Stratasys, Ansys, and Vertex Manufacturing. Velo3D fitted 23 3D printer machines in FY2021 and its customers include Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, Honeywell, Honda, Chromalloy, Lam Research, and Valiant Products.

In September 2024, Velo3D entered a USD 8 million licensing and support agreement with SpaceX, a space exploration company. The deal granted SpaceX a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, and perpetual license to use, manufacture, and modify Velo3D's additive manufacturing technology for internal operations (specifically rocket and spacecraft manufacturing).