Velo3D to partner with Duncan Machine Products for AM of oil & gas industrial parts
February 27, 2020
Velo3D, Campbell, California, USA, has formed a new customer partnership in the oil and gas industry with Duncan Machine Products (DMP), Duncan, Oklahoma, USA, full-service precision-machining company and key supplier to the oil and gas and aerospace industries. The company has reportedly made the decision to expand into metal Additive Manufacturing with Velo3D in response to demand from customers for increased part performance and shorter lead times.
Known for its ability to consistently produce high-quality parts with low-angle geometries without support structures, the Velo3D solution consists of its Flow™ advanced pre-build software, Sapphire machine, and Assure™ quality management software. DMP will take delivery of the system in the second quarter of 2020.
Chris Billings, co-owner of DMP stated, “We know that AM is essential for our future expansion. We chose Velo3D because their Sapphire printer can handle the most geometric complexity, and their support-less process doesn’t require customers to redesign their parts. This will enable us to bid on a larger portfolio of projects. We put Velo3D to the test on a series of customer-driven part builds and, in the end, it was an easy decision.”
DMP has received orders to additively manufacture a minimum of 1,500 parts for downhole tools used in onshore and offshore exploration, and stated that this order could easily increase by 10x in the next twenty-four months. “The conditions under which downhole tools must perform are hostile and include extreme pressure and high-temperature situations, requiring a robust and dependable manufacturing solution,” explained Billings. For this specific programme, DMP will be using metal AM to replace investment casting as the manufacturing process.
“Metal AM is a very compatible manufacturing process for the oil and gas industry, given the complex engineering requirements,” commented Benny Buller, Founder and CEO of Velo3D. “Our SupportFree technology can make highly complex geometries without the burden of post-processing – providing repeatability, process gains, and greater productivity for oilfield service providers.”
