CAMPBELL, Calif./September 8, 2022 —Velo3D announced that M300 tool steel, an ultra-low carbon alloy that delivers very high strength and hardness, is qualified for use in Sapphire printers. Velo3D has already seen extensive interest in the alloy from automotive manufacturers for use in high-pressure die cast inserts, injection molding, and other types of tooling.
“By qualifying M300 tool steel for use in our printers, we’re able to service entirely new industries, like automotive and tooling, that can leverage Velo3D’s advanced capability to print high quality, large diameter internal channels for their applications,” said Greg Brown, Velo3D VP of Technology. “By manufacturing die cast inserts and other tooling components with our technology, we expect companies will be able to build stronger products, improve machining throughput, and decrease manufacturing costs.”
Velo3D’s end-to-end solution is well suited for leveraging M300 tool steel due to its ability to print parts with high-quality surface finishes in complex large-diameter internal cooling channels. These channels can prolong the life of the tooling; however they can be difficult to create with conventional manufacturing methods. Furthermore, while many metal 3D printers can print smaller diameter holes, printing large channels can create roughness and susceptibility to cracking.
The company’s Sapphire XC 1MZ also provides customers with a large build volume—600 mm in diameter and 1000 mm in heights. This is the largest build volume in comparable printers from leading manufacturers, making it better suited to fulfill the requirements of industries that require the largest M300 tool steel inserts, like automotive.
Velo3D has seen high demand for Sapphire printers utilizing M300 tool steel in both Sapphire and Sapphire XC platforms. The company expects system deliveries will start as early as Q4 of 2022.
