SBOT expands Additive Manufacturing for oil & gas sector with Velo3D Sapphire XC
August 9, 2023
Velo3D, Inc, based in Campbell, California, USA, has announced that Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Technology (SBOT), an Austrian provider of high-precision components for the oil & gas industry, has purchased a large-format Sapphire XC Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machine to expand its Additive Manufacturing capabilities.
The new Sapphire XC machine is calibrated to manufacture parts in Inconel 718 and looks to enhance production capabilities, delivering high-volume parts at a reduced cost. Furthermore, it supports the manufacturing of large-scale components up to 600 mm in diameter and 550 mm in height.
SBOT has expertise in manufacturing high-quality components for the oil & gas industry, including more than a decade of experience offering its customers Additive Manufacturing capabilities. In addition to its operations in Europe, SBOT’s subsidiary, Knust-Godwin, operates a fleet of Velo3D machines in its Katy, Texas, facility.
In November 2021, SBOT became the first Velo3D contract manufacturer in Europe with the purchase of a standard Sapphire machine calibrated to manufacture in Inconel 718. The addition of the Sapphire XC machine looks to enable SBOT to easily scale the production of parts previously additively manufactured and qualified on the Sapphire machine.
“Additive Manufacturing continues to see growing adoption and through Velo3D’s Sapphire XC 3D printer, our team can scale up the production of parts for customers with the Sapphire XC’s 400% throughput increase over the original Sapphire,” said Campbell MacPherson, SBO EVP of Advanced Manufacturing. “It will also increase the addressable use-cases for metal Additive Manufacturing by unlocking the capability of producing larger parts, allowing us to maintain our position as a leader in the industry.”
It is stated that the Sapphire XC machine will provide SBOT with the geometric design freedom to precisely and efficiently produce highly complex, mission-critical parts with a large build volume. The contract manufacturer also offers conventional manufacturing capabilities such as CNC milling and turning, heat treatment, material testing, and polishing. This aims to allow SBOT to deliver finished, ready-to-use parts to its customers.
“We are thrilled to partner with SBOT and expand our presence in Europe with our first Sapphire XC installation at a contract manufacturer,” shared Benny Buller, Founder and CEO of Velo3D. “SBOT’s commitment to delivering high-quality components aligns perfectly with our mission to enable manufacturers to unlock the full potential of their products through Additive Manufacturing. We are confident the Sapphire XC’s advanced capabilities will empower SBOT to achieve new heights of innovation and excellence in their manufacturing processes.”
