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Velo3D has secured a $32.6 million contract with the U.S. Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in support of Project FORGE, a program focused on addressing manufacturing bottlenecks within a critical U.S. defense weapons system. The award was issued under an Other Transaction Agreement and supports a program of record.
Project FORGE is tasked with identifying solutions to production constraints affecting certain traditionally manufactured parts and platforms inside the U.S. defense industrial base. According to the release, these bottlenecks have limited the throughput required to scale production for a critical Department of War program. Velo3D will work alongside DIU, the U.S. Navy, and an industry prime to prototype and qualify additively manufactured components intended to remove these constraints.
The contract leverages Velo3D’s Rapid Production Solution, which is designed to support the rapid prototyping and qualification of metal parts produced using additive manufacturing. The effort is intended to allow the Department of War to scale an additive manufacturing solution once qualification is complete, increasing production rates for the program.
As part of the agreement, Velo3D will also explore the development of large-format laser powder bed fusion printing capability within the United States. The option is intended to support additive manufacturing needs that are not currently possible within the existing U.S. industrial base, according to the company.
Velo3D’s Sapphire printers are assembled in the United States and can produce parts up to 600 millimeters in diameter and one meter in height across the printer fleet. The company states that this capability expands the range of applications suitable for laser powder bed fusion, while supporting repeatable production.
The company also noted that its systems meet Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements and can connect securely to military networks. This capability supports the protection of manufacturing operations and data associated with defense programs.
The award brings together DIU, the U.S. Navy, and industry partners to address production challenges tied to a major defense system. Velo3D stated that the effort is intended to support increased production capacity and delivery for the program through qualified additive manufacturing processes.
Article & Image Source: Velo3D
