SerpApi.Org
Velo3D has opened a nearly 289,000-square-foot metal 3D printing campus in Livermore, California, giving the company room to scale production of large-format additive manufacturing systems and mission-critical metal parts.
Called Forge 1, the facility is designed to help manufacturers move from qualifying new components to producing them at industrial scale. The campus will serve industries including aerospace, defense, energy and other strategic sectors where domestic manufacturing capacity and reliable supply chains are increasingly important.
The facility includes about 270,000 square feet of production space and can support more than 40 large-format metal additive manufacturing systems. Velo3D plans to expand the site beyond 100 systems over time.
When combined with the company’s Fremont headquarters, the expansion could give Velo3D capacity for up to 125 systems across its two California campuses. The company says this would create one of North America’s largest integrated metal additive manufacturing environments.
3D printing goes industrial
Forge 1 is designed to handle several stages of the manufacturing process under one roof. These include machine assembly, large-scale metal printing, post-processing, inspection, quality assurance and customer acceptance.
The setup is intended to shorten the time needed to move a component from development into repeatable production. It also allows customers to use the same manufacturing ecosystem as they scale their programs, rather than shifting between different facilities or suppliers.
Velo3D’s Fremont headquarters will continue to focus on research and development, applications engineering, process development, customer collaboration and qualification. Forge 1 will add the production capacity needed once those technologies and applications are ready to scale.
“Forge 1 is much more than a new production facility,” said Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer of Velo3D. “It represents our commitment to helping customers and our nation build a stronger, more resilient manufacturing foundation. Our customers need more than innovative technology. They need a trusted American partner capable of taking critical programs from qualification to production while strengthening supply chains and supporting national security. Forge 1 is how we deliver on that commitment.”
The company is positioning the campus as part of a broader push to strengthen domestic production of critical components. For aerospace and defense programs in particular, the ability to manufacture complex metal parts closer to home could reduce dependence on overseas supply chains.
America builds manufacturing capacity
Velo3D says Forge 1 will also support its position as a U.S.-based manufacturer of large-format laser powder bed fusion systems. The company’s hardware and software are developed in the United States, while its systems are deployed across the U.S., allied nations and other trusted international markets.
The new facility is expected to begin operations in phases as manufacturing systems are installed and qualified. Its capacity will increase over time as customer demand grows.
The timing comes as governments and manufacturers place greater emphasis on resilient supply chains and domestic production capabilities. Large-format metal additive manufacturing can be particularly useful for producing complex components that may be difficult or expensive to manufacture using traditional methods.
The Livermore campus is therefore not simply a larger factory for Velo3D. It is intended to connect machine production with the printing and qualification of parts, giving customers a path to scale additive manufacturing for high-value applications.
“Livermore is proud to welcome Velo3D and celebrate the opening of Forge 1,” said Livermore Mayor John Marchand. “This new production campus reflects the kind of bold investment that continues to shape Livermore as a destination for advanced industry. We are excited to partner with Velo3D as they strengthen American manufacturing and build the next generation of technologies right here in Livermore.”
