Velo3D, Inc. has entered into a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) to rapidly develop and qualify additively manufactured complex parts and assemblies, addressing critical supply chain challenges affecting ground combat vehicles and other military systems. Upon successful completion and qualification of several prototype AM parts, the Velo3D AM alternatives will be available to the U.S. Army to insert into the supply chain for mitigation of current challenges.
The CRADA leverages Velo3D’s Rapid Production Solution (RPS) to quickly prototype alternatives to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. Additionally, the agreement includes collaboration to explore several Velo3D qualified alloys for use in Velo3D’s Sapphire family of printers – including large-format needs. Velo3D’s RPS leverages its systems, expertise, and surge capacity solutions to enable scalable production of mission-critical parts that would significantly enable the Army’s efforts to reduce supply chain challenges.
All Velo3D Sapphireprinters are assembled in the United States and capable of printing parts up to 600mm in diameter and 1 meter in height repeatably across the entire fleet of Velo3D Sapphireprinters. This advancement significantly expands addressable applications, enabling larger part production while offering the many benefits of LPBF technology, such as higher fidelity printing and Velo3D’s best in class layer-by-layer in-situ process monitoring.
Velo3D’s systems meet DoD cybersecurity standards and can connect securely to military networks, ensuring integrity and security for critical manufacturing operations.
This partnership represents Velo 3D’s efforts to support the U.S. Army’s maintenance modernization and reduce repair delays that impact the Army’s combat vehicle fleet readiness.
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), based at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan, is the Army’s primary R&D organization for ground vehicle technology, electrification, survivability, and advanced manufacturing. GVSC develops and integrates next-generation capabilities across the full vehicle lifecycle—from design and prototyping to sustainment and modernization. Its mission is to deliver and sustain overmatch in ground mobility and protection through innovation in areas such as robotics, modeling and simulation, and additive manufacturing.
