Velo3D's Rapid Production Solutions Accelerates Aviation Component Delivery for Intergalactic

Event summary

  • Velo3D's Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) enabled Intergalactic to produce IN718 microtube heat exchanger headers for an aviation program.
  • The components are intended for use in a cabin air heat exchanger assembly for a mass-produced commercial aircraft.
  • Production utilized Velo3D's Sapphire XC platform, known for large-format IN718 printing.
  • The RPS process reduced the time from design to printed parts to just a couple of weeks.
  • Velo3D’s standard parameter sets were used, eliminating the need for part-specific development.

The big picture

Velo3D’s RPS offering represents a strategic shift towards providing end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions, moving beyond just hardware sales. This focus on accelerating time-to-market is crucial in the aerospace sector, where delays can have significant financial consequences. The ability to create a distributed, flexible supply chain through standardized parameter sets addresses a key vulnerability in the industry, particularly given recent geopolitical instability.

What we're watching

Supply Chain
The success of RPS hinges on Velo3D’s ability to scale its integrated solution (Flow, Sapphire, Assure) to support a broader range of customers and part geometries.
Competitive Landscape
Whether Intergalactic’s adoption of RPS will spur similar adoption by other aviation manufacturers remains to be seen, and will depend on the cost-effectiveness of the solution compared to traditional methods.
Technical Debt
The reliance on standard parameter sets could limit design flexibility in the future; Velo3D must balance speed with the ability to adapt to increasingly complex component requirements.