Velo3D, Inc. announced Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) has selected a fully integrated metal additive manufacturing solution from the company to produce parts for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The Sapphire XC large format printer, calibrated for stainless steel 415, will be operated by ATI at its new additive manufacturing facility outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Earlier this year, BPMI awarded a contract to ATI to support development of highly engineered part solutions for advanced manufacturing methods including metal additive manufacturing.

The partners will use the printer to produce parts previously produced through casting, reducing lead times for mission critical parts, and streamlining their supply chain. Velo3D's technology was developed in the United States and includes a fully integrated software and hardware solution. The company is headquartered in the United States, including its research and development, customer support, and manufacturing operations.

Conventional 3D printers often struggle to produce parts with overhanging features beyond 45 degrees without support structures, however Velo3D's proprietary technology offers the ability to produce parts with a wide variety of geometries with few-to-no supports. This has allowed the company to address applications that other 3D printing technologies cannot. In addition to using this technology to 3D print parts that are traditionally cast, Velo3D's technology also enables more innovative designs to replace components currently in use.

Furthermore, this capability can be scaled to additional machines across multiple locations and operators. The U.S. Navy currently operates approximately 300 vessels, many of which were commissioned decades ago. They, along with the broader U.S. Department of Defense, have actively incorporated additive manufacturing, integrating its efficiency in supporting its aging equipment, enhancing warfighter readiness, and reducing replacement part lead-times.

Additive manufacturing accomplishes this by enabling distributed supply chains and digital inventories where manufacturers can produce parts within spec across any similar printer calibrated for the same metal alloy. ATI's new secure facility, along with Velo3D's fully integrated solution, are significant steps forward in advancing the Navy's maintenance and operational capabilities. BPMI's new Sapphire XC printer is the first such printer from Velo3D calibrated for stainless steel 415, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel that provides good tensile strength and corrosion resistance at a range of temperatures.