Ci-Esse adds Velo3D’s Sapphire Additive Manufacturing machine
November 1, 2023
Velo3D, Inc., based in Campbell, California, USA, has announced that Ci-Esse Srl, a precision machining contract manufacturer based in Fiorano, Italy, has purchased a Sapphire Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machine. This reportedly makes Ci-Esse the first member of Velo3D’s contract manufacturer network in Italy.
The newly integrated Sapphire metal AM machine, calibrated to produce parts using Inconel 718 metal powder, will be used by Ci-Esse to produce parts for its clients in the aerospace, defence, motorsports, and other industries.
“With more than forty years of experience in precision machining, fifteen years using metal Additive Manufacturing technology, and a deep-rooted passion to solve their customers’ most difficult problems, it’s no surprise that Ci-Esse has developed unique processes and capabilities – from printing parameters and quality control to post-processing – that help them stand out among their peers,” shared Benny Buller, Velo3D founder and CEO. “The overlap of industries served by Velo3D and Ci-Esse is quite extensive, and I foresee a long and fruitful partnership where we learn from one another as we serve our joint customers. We look forward to seeing what their customers produce with Ci-Esse’s new 3D printing capabilities.”
Ci-Esse’s customers use its manufacturing capabilities, including Additive Manufacturing, to procure ready-to-use parts that support their diverse product lines and services. The company’s longevity is said to be attributed to its commitment to delivering quality parts that meet all customer specifications. Ci-Esse is AS9100D certified and operates a metallurgical laboratory to ensure the quality of powder used in its Additive Manufacturing processes.
“One of our core values at Ci-Esse is to strive for perfection in every part we deliver to a customer,” said Giorgio Canali, Ci-Esse CEO. “Velo3D’s solution, with its quality assurance and pre-print software, is an excellent complement to our extensive history of delivering parts produced with the highest quality. The fully integrated solution will help us monitor the quality of the parts we produce for our customers to add an extra level of validation in our quality.”
Velo3D’s merged software and manufacturing process solution is intended to streamline the pre-manufacturing process, enable quality in every layer of an additively manufactured part, and maintain consistency from one Sapphire AM machine to another. This enables engineers to escalate production to new AM machines, eliminating the need for an exhaustive qualification process. This method allows Ci-Esse to manufacture parts for existing Velo3D customers with minimal effort. As customer demand increases, Ci-Esse may introduce additional machines to meet these needs.
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