What Happened
Velo3D has recently announced its participation in a U.S. Army-funded initiative aimed at advancing high-throughput aluminum CP1 additive manufacturing for defense applications. This program is conducted in collaboration with RTX and the Raytheon Technologies Research Center. The initiative, part of the Army’s AvMC and M&S Program, focuses on pushing the boundaries of aluminum additive manufacturing to meet the stringent demands of defense industry production. More details can be found in the PR Newswire release.
Why It Matters
This collaboration highlights a significant step forward in the realm of collaborative printing technologies, particularly in defense manufacturing. By leveraging high-throughput aluminum additive manufacturing, Velo3D and its partners aim to overcome traditional production bottlenecks, reduce lead times, and increase part complexity without sacrificing quality. The initiative exemplifies how collaborative printing can be scaled and integrated into highly regulated sectors like defense, where reliability and performance are critical.
Technical Context
Aluminum CP1 alloy is prized in aerospace and defense for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, additive manufacturing with aluminum alloys has faced challenges such as porosity, residual stress, and inconsistent microstructures. Velo3D’s expertise lies in advanced metal 3D printing systems that enable complex geometries with minimal support structures, high resolution, and improved material properties. The high-throughput aspect indicates a focus on increasing production speed and volume, potentially through multi-laser systems, optimized process parameters, or collaborative printing strategies where multiple machines or print heads work in tandem.
Collaborative printing in this context may involve synchronized operation of multiple additive manufacturing units or integrated workflows between design, simulation, and production to maximize efficiency and part quality. While exact technical details of the program remain undisclosed, the partnership with RTX and Raytheon suggests a strong emphasis on meeting defense-grade standards and integrating additive manufacturing into existing supply chains.
Near-Term Prediction Model
The program is currently in a pilot phase, aiming to validate the scalability and reliability of high-throughput aluminum additive manufacturing for defense. Success here could accelerate adoption of collaborative printing in mission-critical applications, setting a precedent for other sectors. However, challenges remain in ensuring consistent quality, certification, and integration with legacy manufacturing processes.
What to Watch
- Technical breakthroughs in multi-laser or multi-machine synchronized printing for aluminum alloys.
- Updates on qualification and certification of printed parts for defense use.
- Expansion of collaborative printing models beyond defense into aerospace and industrial manufacturing.
- Partnership announcements that extend the ecosystem around Velo3D’s technology.