Velo3D Sapphire 1MZ — Technical data

The Sapphire 1MZ is the tall version of the Sapphire. Velo3D presented it in April 2020, and the first customer was Knust-Godwin, a supplier to the oil and gas industry. Technology and controls match the Sapphire with two 1 kW lasers, but at 315 mm diameter the build volume grows to 1,000 mm in height. Long, slender parts such as pipes, nozzles or heat exchangers can thus be made in one piece. The material list runs from Inconel and Hastelloy through titanium and aluminium to copper alloys.

Installation requires a pit 1.37 m deep, and according to the manufacturer the machine weighs around 3.15 tonnes. Moving it therefore means building work at the new site. Inspection should cover the lift axis over the full metre, build platform seals, recoater, filters and laser hours. A fully used build volume ties up a lot of powder, so powder history and sieving equipment should be documented. Because Velo3D has ended service for some older printers, settle service commitments and licences for Flow and Assure before buying.