Sapphire 1MZ

The Sapphire 1MZ is an SLM 3D printer from Velo3D with a 315 x 315 x 1000 mm build volume.

Specifications

Velo3D Sapphire 1MZ: Technical Profile

Laser Engine

Dual 1 kW fiber lasers (1070 nm); maximum scan speed 8 m/s. Identical laser configuration to the standard Sapphire, but with a tripled Z-travel.

Scanner

Dual galvo scanning heads; Intelligent Fusion closed-loop adjusts laser parameters layer-by-layer based on melt-pool data. Assure quality software logs every layer across the full 1 m Z-axis for post-build analysis.

Platform

Cylindrical chamber ⌀315 × 1000 mm: the primary differentiator from the standard Sapphire; layer thickness 30–90 µm; non-contact recoater.

Chamber and Shielding Gas

Argon or nitrogen; closed-loop powder recirculation; real-time O₂ monitoring.

Calibration

Velo3D Sapphire 1MZ Calibration

Z-Axis Linearity Over 1000 mm

Test tower with markers at 100 mm intervals; CMM measurement; cumulative error ≤±0.3 mm over the full Z-axis.

SupportFree Down-Skin Over Z

Ra < 25 µm at 250/500/750/1000 mm levels at ≥10° overhang. Flow parameters are not transferable from standard Sapphire without validation.

Assure Melt-Pool Analysis

Brightness drift along Z = indicator of thermal accumulation. Review after each build.

GRCop-42 Validation.

Common defects

Typical Defects on Velo3D Sapphire 1MZ

Thermal Distortion in Long Structures

Cause: thermal accumulation over 1 m Z. Fix: Z-zone scan strategy segmentation + HIP post-processing.

LOF Porosity in the Middle of a 1 m Tower

Cause: laser working-point drift along Z. Fix: Intelligent Fusion compensates; for persistent issues: contact Velo3D support.

Hot Cracking in Inconel 718

Cause: accumulated stress over 1 m without relief.

What it is used for

Velo3D Sapphire 1MZ Use Cases

Rocket Nozzles and Combustion Chambers (Single Piece)

Full-scale combustion chambers and nozzles without welding: SpaceX and competitors.

Aviation Engine Sections

Monolithic Inconel 718 thrust structures with internal cooling channels in a single build.

Hypersonic Structural Components.