Sapphire

The Sapphire is an SLM 3D printer from Velo3D with a 315 x 315 x 400 mm build volume.

Specifications

Velo3D Sapphire: Technical Profile

Laser Engine

Dual 1 kW fiber lasers (1070 nm); maximum scan speed 8 m/s. Both lasers operate simultaneously to cover the ⌀315 mm cylindrical build area.

Scanner

Dual galvo scanning heads with independent control; patented Intelligent Fusion algorithm monitors and adjusts melt-pool in real time, layer by layer.

Platform

Cylindrical chamber ⌀315 × 400 mm (non-rectangular); layer thickness 30–90 µm; non-contact recoater: no mechanical contact with the part during powder spreading.

Chamber and Shielding Gas

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

SupportFree Technology.

Calibration

Velo3D Sapphire Calibration

SupportFree Angle Test

Print overhang coupons (5°–20°) in the working material; Ra < 20 µm on the down-skin at 5° is the expected result.

Melt-Pool Monitoring

Assure software analyses in-situ data automatically; review the brightness map after each build for anomalies.

Cylindrical Geometric Accuracy

Measure a ⌀280 mm test ring with CMM: roundness ≤0.1 mm; diameter error ≤±0.2 mm.

Non-Contact Recoater Check.

Common defects

Typical Defects on Velo3D Sapphire

Porosity in Low-Angle Overhangs

Cause: unstable melt-pool at 5–15°. Fix: Flow overhang-zone parameters + increased exposure for border layers.

Hot Cracking

Cause: high thermal gradient in thin Inconel walls. Fix: 67° island rotation + reduced scan speed + HIP post-processing.

Roughness Anomaly on Long Overhangs

Cause: unstable down-skin melt-pool without supports.

What it is used for

Velo3D Sapphire Use Cases

Rocket Engines

SupportFree = monolithic combustion chambers with internal channels without support structures. SpaceX is a key customer.

Aerospace Hot Sections

Inconel 718 / Hastelloy X at 30 µm layer thickness for turbine blades and hot-section engine parts.

Semiconductor Equipment.