- 289,000-square-foot facility: One of North America's largest metal 3D printing campuses.
- 10 million cubic feet of manufacturing volume: Enables large-scale production with room for expansion.
- $32.6M defense contract: Supports Project FORGE to resolve manufacturing bottlenecks.
Experts would likely conclude that Velo3D's mega-factory represents a pivotal shift in industrial 3D printing, accelerating the transition from prototyping to high-volume production for critical aerospace and defense applications.
Velo3D Unveils Mega-Factory to Forge America's 3D-Printed Future
LIVERMORE, CA – June 30, 2026 – In a decisive move signaling the maturation of industrial 3D printing, metal additive manufacturing leader Velo3D today announced a massive expansion with a new 289,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing campus in Livermore, California. The facility, one of the largest of its kind in North America, is purpose-built to triple the company's production capacity, directly addressing surging demand for scaled production from the nation's critical aerospace and defense sectors.
This expansion represents a significant inflection point for the industry, moving metal additive manufacturing (AM) beyond its roots in prototyping and into the realm of high-volume, mission-critical production. The new Livermore campus is designed to house over 100 of Velo3D's large-format metal 3D printers, creating a production powerhouse for the complex components that define modern aircraft, spacecraft, and defense systems.
A New Era for Industrial-Scale Production
The sheer scale of the Livermore Production Campus underscores a fundamental shift in the manufacturing landscape. Spanning an area roughly the size of five football fields, the facility boasts nearly 10 million cubic feet of manufacturing volume, thanks to soaring 36-foot clear heights. This vertical space is a strategic asset, enabling the installation of today's largest printing systems and providing room to grow as future technology enables even more ambitious builds.
Initially equipped to handle more than 40 large-format systems, the campus infrastructure is designed to scale to over 100 machines as customer orders continue to climb. This buildout is a direct response to a market that is rapidly industrializing. According to industry analysts, the global metal AM market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 17%, with North America leading the charge. This growth is driven by companies seeking to leverage AM not just for one-off parts, but as a core component of their production strategy.
"This expansion is a reflection of the increasing demand we are seeing from customers who want to move beyond prototyping and qualification into production," said Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer of Velo3D. "Our customers are looking for more than technology. They are looking for a trusted partner that can help them qualify applications, scale production, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate innovation."
The new facility will serve as Velo3D’s primary production and manufacturing center, while its Fremont headquarters will remain the hub for research, development, and customer qualification. Together, they form a comprehensive ecosystem designed to guide clients from initial concept to full-scale production under a single, integrated platform.
This integrated model aims to lower the barrier to entry for companies looking to adopt AM. "We believe additive manufacturing should be accessible, scalable, and production-ready," stated Michelle Sidwell, Chief Revenue Officer of Velo3D. "Customers are increasingly seeking flexible ways to adopt additive manufacturing without the burden of significant upfront investment or manufacturing risk."
Fueling America's Defense and Aerospace Ambitions
The timing and focus of Velo3D's expansion are strategically aligned with national priorities. The aerospace and defense industries, which represent the largest share of the metal AM market, are under immense pressure to innovate faster while securing their supply chains. The U.S. Department of Defense has been a vocal proponent of additive manufacturing, viewing it as a key technology for enhancing military readiness and reshoring critical industrial capabilities.
Velo3D is already deeply embedded in this ecosystem. The company recently secured a $32.6 million contract to support "Project FORGE," a defense initiative aimed at using AM to resolve manufacturing bottlenecks. It also holds an $11.5 million multi-year production contract with a major U.S. defense prime contractor. Furthermore, Velo3D became the first AM company to be qualified under the U.S. Army's Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) initiative, a crucial step for broader adoption across military vehicle programs.
This new facility provides the physical capacity to deliver on these commitments and more. By enabling the domestic, on-demand production of complex components—from lightweight jet engine parts that improve fuel efficiency to intricate microtube heat exchangers—the Livermore campus directly supports the goal of a more resilient and agile U.S. industrial base. It allows defense and aerospace primes to reduce their reliance on fragile global supply chains and accelerate development timelines for next-generation systems.
Livermore's Ascent as a High-Tech Manufacturing Hub
Velo3D's investment is also a major win for Livermore, cementing its status as a burgeoning center for advanced manufacturing in the Bay Area. City officials lauded the move as a testament to the region's unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and pro-innovation policies.
"Livermore is proud to welcome Velo3D, an industry leader in advanced additive manufacturing and precision engineering," said Mayor John Marchand. "This investment reinforces what companies across advanced industries already know: Livermore is where Bay Area innovation gets built. We are committed to supporting companies to build, scale, and thrive while advancing industries vital to our region and our nation."
The city's economic development leadership echoed this sentiment, highlighting the synergy between Velo3D and the local ecosystem.
"Velo3D is exactly the kind of company we want deeply rooted in Livermore's economy. Their leadership in additive manufacturing and precision engineering fits naturally within Livermore's advanced industry ecosystem, where proximity to key suppliers, partners, and talent creates real advantages for companies ready to scale," commented Brandon Cardwell, Innovation & Economic Development Director for the City of Livermore. The facility, expected to be operational later this year, promises to bring high-skilled jobs and attract further investment to the area.
The Technology Behind the Scale
At the heart of Velo3D's expansion is its proprietary technology, a fully integrated solution designed to produce high-value metal parts with unprecedented geometric freedom. The system combines Flow™ print preparation software, the Sapphire® family of printers, and the Assure™ quality control system, all governed by the company's Intelligent Fusion® manufacturing process.
A key differentiator is its ability to print complex geometries, such as low-angle features and internal channels, without the need for the internal support structures required by conventional metal AM systems. This capability is revolutionary, as it not only unlocks designs that were previously impossible to manufacture but also dramatically reduces the time and cost associated with post-processing.
While the market includes formidable players like EOS and Colibrium Additive (formerly GE Additive), who are also making significant investments in their U.S. operations, Velo3D has carved out a strong position in producing the most challenging mission-critical parts. The new Livermore facility provides the industrial-scale backbone needed to deploy this advanced technology at a volume that can reshape supply chains. Combined with the R&D expertise at its Fremont headquarters, Velo3D is establishing one of North America's most powerful advanced manufacturing platforms, ready to meet the future of domestic production.
