Mears Machine Corporation adds fourth Sapphire XC Additive Manufacturing machine from Velo3D
April 10, 2025
Velo3D, headquartered in Fremont, California, USA, has announced that Mears Machine Corporation has purchased its fourth Sapphire XC Additive Manufacturing machine in response to customer demand. This order is said to underscore Mears Machine’s commitment to adopting advanced manufacturing technologies and follows the previous purchase of three Velo3D Sapphire XCs in 2024.
“As precision machine shops increasingly adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, like 3D printing, we are pleased to support their mission to modernize and better serve their customers,” said Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “Our partnership with Mears Machine, now integrating a fourth Sapphire XC printer, highlights the sales momentum for our technology and underscores the value that our Additive Manufacturing solutions bring to manufacturers looking to enhance productivity, scale operations and drive innovation.”
The new Velo3D Sapphire XC machine at Mears Machine will be configured to produce parts in nickel super-alloy H282. H282 is a strengthened superalloy developed for high-temperature applications, primarily for aerospace propulsion systems, industrial power generation, nuclear power and critical CO2 systems. It processes a unique combination of strength, thermal stability, and fabricability not found in currently available commercial alloys. Manufactured parts also have better weldability, creep resistance in the range 649 – 927°C, oxidation properties and great thermal stability. Velo3D sees significant opportunities for parts in H282, including many that support critical defence-related programmes.
“Integrating the Velo3D Sapphire XC printer into our operations has represented a significant leap forward in addressing the evolving needs of our existing customers. The new industries and customer base attracted by this capability has exceeded our expectations,” said Roger Mears, Executive Chairman of Mears Machine. “This technology empowers us to efficiently deliver complex, high-quality components to our customers. Coupled with our world-class machining capability and post-process supply chain management experience, we are positioned as a leading partner in the Additive Manufacturing landscape. Our customers’ demands have increased, and we have met production with Velo3D’s highly scalable Additive Manufacturing solution, which makes us unique in the industry.”
Velo3D’s fully integrated solution, which combines software, hardware, and manufacturing processes, enables unparalleled scalability and affordability. Once a part has been qualified on a Velo3D machine, production can be easily scaled across any system of the same model of AM machine that is configured for the same alloy. This capability is crucial for Mears Machine’s customers who seek to affordably scale production of additively manufactured components while navigating supply chain challenges.
The Velo3D Sapphire XC machine sets itself apart in the Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) with its unique build capabilities and large format. The machine uses eight 1-kilowatt lasers and can produce parts 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm in height, with the option of 1,000 mm in height for the Sapphire XC 1MZ.
