Wagner Machine Company (Champaign, IL), a second-generation precision machine shop, has taken delivery of a Velo3D (Campbell, CA) 3D printer for producing foundry-grade Aluminum F357, a high-performance alloy that is certified for mission-critical applications. Velo3D’s ability to accurately and repeatedly print optimized parts from F357 frees designers and engineers across a range of demanding industries to achieve unprecedented part consolidation and performance requirements.
Wagner Machine Company is a one-stop shop for advanced manufacturing with capabilities including 3- and 5-axis CNC mill, CNC lathe, CNC swiss, wire EDM, abrasive waterjet, and a variety of precision grinding and other support processes. Adding Velo3D metal additive manufacturing aligns with the company vision to be the most knowledgeable, capable, and innovative source for high-precision manufacturing.
“When everyone else says it can’t be done, people come to us,” said Kurt Wagner, CEO, Wagner Machine Company. “We recently had a customer ask us to make a brazed assembly that was impossible due to space constraints and other requirements. We suggested 3D printing, which was their original plan, but other 3D printing companies they consulted said the part would be impossible to print due to thin walls and pressure requirements. Velo3D was able to print the assembly as a single piece on a Sapphire and it met all the customer’s performance requirements.”
Bringing together an integrated, end-to-end solution of software, hardware, and process-control innovation, Velo3D’s technology for 3D metal printing delivers quality control for serial production and enhanced part performance. With Velo3D Flow print preparation software, the Sapphire laser powder-bed additive manufacturing system, and Assure quality assurance software, manufacturers can accelerate product innovation, become more agile and responsive to market needs, and reduce costs. The company is reportedly the first in the industry to introduce SupportFree metal 3D printing, which allows for the manufacture of previously impossible geometries.
In March 2021, Velo3D announced plans to merge with JAWS Spitfire Acquisition Corporation and become a public company.