Velo3D Qualifies M300 Tool Steel for Use in Sapphire Printers

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Velo3D, a leading company in metal additive manufacturing technology for critical parts, has qualified M300 tool steel, an ultra-low carbon alloy that offers very high strength and hardness, for use in printers Velo3D Sapphire. Velo3D has already seen strong interest in the alloy from automotive manufacturers for use in high pressure die-cast inserts, injection molding and other types of tooling.

Velo3D qualifies M300 tool steel for use in Sapphire printers.  A very low carbon alloy that offers very high strength and hardness.
An impression of M300 tool steel of conformal cooled tooling and high pressure die casting inserts. The print is shown as printed on the build plate.

“By qualifying M300 tool steel for use in our printers, we are able to serve entirely new industries, like automotive and tooling, that can take advantage of Velo3D’s advanced ability to print channels high-quality, large-diameter internals for their applications,” said Greg Brown. , Vice President of Technology at Velo3D. “By manufacturing die-cast inserts and other tooling components with our technology, we hope companies will be able to build stronger products, improve machining throughput and reduce manufacturing costs. .”

Velo3D’s end-to-end solution is well suited to take advantage of 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 extend tooling life; however, they can be difficult to create with conventional manufacturing methods. Additionally, while many metal 3D printers can print smaller diameter holes, printing large channels can create roughness and susceptibility to cracking.

Velo3D qualifies M300 tool steel for use in Sapphire printers.  A very low carbon alloy that offers very high strength and hardness.
Cooled tooling insert conforming to a work surface for high pressure molding.

The company’s Sapphire XC 1MZ also offers customers a large build volume – 600mm in diameter and 1000mm in height. This is the largest build volume of comparable printers from major manufacturers, making it better suited to meet the demands of industries that require the largest M300 tool steel inserts, such as automotive.

Velo3D has seen strong demand for Sapphire printers using M300 tool steel in the Sapphire and Sapphire XC platforms. The company plans to begin shipping the systems as early as the fourth quarter of 2022.

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