Velo3D Sapphire XC 1MZ

$3,000,000 - $4,500,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

build volume

Ø600 mm x 1000 mm Z

laser type

Yb-fiber laser

laser power

8 x 1 kW

number of lasers

layer thickness

50 – 100 µm (material dependent)

min feature size

~150 µm

Overview

The Velo3D Sapphire XC 1MZ is the tallest system in the Sapphire XC family, extending the standard XC's 600 mm diameter build platform to a full 1,000 mm (1 meter) in build height. The 1MZ designation reflects this one-meter Z-axis capability, making it one of the tallest commercially available metal LPBF systems in the world. Eight 1 kW fiber lasers process the full diameter, and Velo3D's Intelligent Fusion and SupportFree technologies extend to the full 1-meter height, maintaining process consistency throughout builds that may span multiple days.

The impetus for the 1MZ comes directly from the space propulsion and defense sectors, where rocket engine components — particularly combustion chambers, nozzle extensions, and propellant feed manifolds — can exceed 800 mm in height. Before the Sapphire XC 1MZ, printing these components in a single build required either splitting the geometry and welding, or using directed energy deposition systems that sacrifice LPBF's dimensional accuracy and surface quality. The 1MZ eliminates this compromise for parts that fit within 600 mm diameter but need to be tall.

Maintaining process control throughout a 1-meter tall build introduces engineering challenges that Velo3D addresses with multiple innovations on the 1MZ. Gas circulation, powder deposition uniformity, and laser focal distance must all be maintained at the same quality from layer 1 to layer 20,000+. The non-contact recoater system is particularly important at this scale: a conventional blade recoater striking a warped or thermally distorted tall part at layer 15,000 would cause catastrophic build failure, while the non-contact design manages these risks across the full height. Assure quality documentation runs continuously through the entire build height, generating the layer-by-layer quality record needed for flight hardware certification.

The Sapphire XC 1MZ competes primarily with DED (directed energy deposition) systems and large-format wire-arc additive manufacturing when tall components are the requirement. Within the LPBF class, it is essentially unique in the 1-meter height category at 600 mm diameter. Pricing reflects the system's engineering complexity and niche capability, typically in the $3,000,000–$4,500,000 range.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	Ø600 mm x 1000 mm Z
Laser Type	Yb-fiber laser
Laser Power	8 x 1 kW
Number Of Lasers	8
Layer Thickness	50 – 100 µm (material dependent)
Min Feature Size	~150 µm
Min Overhang Angle	Sub-5 degrees (SupportFree technology)
Recoater Type	Non-contact recoater
Technology	Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) — SupportFree
Materials	Inconel 718, Inconel 625, Ti-6Al-4V, Hastelloy X, Al F357, Stainless Steel
Atmosphere	Argon inert gas
Process Monitoring	Intelligent Fusion real-time monitoring — full 1,000 mm height
Software	Flow (print preparation), Assure (quality management)
Machine Height Total	~4,500 mm (machine + powder handling system)
Power Requirements	3-phase, 480V, 125A
Size	8.53 x 5.00 x 4.75 m
Machine Weight	~8,500 kg (18,740 lbs)
Lasers	Eight 1 kW
Throughput	Up to 800 cc/hr
Surface Finish	5–15 μm Sa (typical)

Specifications sourced from velo3d.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

1,000 mm build height at 600 mm diameter is unique in commercial LPBF — enables full-height rocket engine combustion chambers and nozzle assemblies as single printed parts
Eight 1 kW lasers maintain production-viable build rates across the enormous build volume without extending build times prohibitively
Non-contact recoater prevents blade crashes on tall, thermally distorted parts at heights where conventional recoaters fail
SupportFree printing at full height eliminates internal supports in tall components with complex internal channels such as regeneratively cooled chambers
Assure quality documentation runs the full 1-meter build height, providing complete layer-by-layer records for flight hardware certification

Limitations

Capital cost of $3M–$4.5M is accessible only to well-funded aerospace, space, and defense prime contractors with clear production business cases
Total machine height of approximately 4,500 mm requires ceiling clearance above typical manufacturing floor heights, requiring specialized facility design
Powder inventory requirements for a full 1-meter tall, 600 mm diameter build are substantial — large builds may consume 300–500 kg of metal powder

Best For

Space launch companies printing full-height rocket engine combustion chambers, nozzle extensions, and propellant manifolds in a single build in Inconel and titanium Defense prime contractors producing tall missile propulsion components and pressure vessels where single-piece integrity is required by specification Aerospace engine manufacturers printing tall turbine casings, compressor housings, and exhaust structures that exceed standard LPBF height limits Advanced research programs developing novel tall aerospace structures where the 1-meter height capability enables previously impossible single-piece geometries

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does '1MZ' mean in the Velo3D Sapphire XC 1MZ?

1MZ refers to the 1-meter (1,000 mm) Z-axis build height of this variant. The standard Sapphire XC has a 550 mm build height; the 1MZ extends this to 1,000 mm while retaining the same 600 mm diameter build platform and 8-laser configuration. The designation distinguishes this tall-format variant from the standard XC.

02 Why would a manufacturer choose the Sapphire XC 1MZ over the standard Sapphire XC?

The Sapphire XC 1MZ is chosen when part height exceeds the standard XC's 550 mm limit. Primary use cases are tall rocket engine combustion chambers, nozzle extensions, and defense pressure vessels that would otherwise require splitting into multiple pieces and welding. If parts fit within 550 mm height, the standard XC is the more cost-effective choice.

03 How long does a full 1-meter height build take on the Sapphire XC 1MZ?

A dense part filling the full 600 mm x 1,000 mm envelope would take approximately 7–14 days to print at 50–100 µm layer thickness. Most actual builds are not fully dense — the effective build time depends on cross-sectional area at each layer, which varies with geometry. The 8-laser system keeps build rates competitive, but very large, tall builds are inherently multi-day operations.

04 What facility height is required for the Sapphire XC 1MZ?

The total machine height including the powder handling and gas management system is approximately 4,500 mm. This exceeds standard manufacturing floor ceiling heights of 3,500–4,000 mm in many facilities. Buyers typically need to plan for a dedicated high-bay installation area or purpose-built facility. Velo3D provides facility planning support as part of the procurement and installation process.

05 Can the Sapphire XC 1MZ print aluminum alloys at 1-meter height?

Yes. Aluminum F357 is a qualified material on the Sapphire XC 1MZ. However, most 1-meter height applications involve nickel superalloys (Inconel 718/625) and titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) for space and defense applications. Aluminum at extreme height introduces additional thermal management challenges due to aluminum's high thermal conductivity, and Velo3D's Intelligent Fusion system is designed to handle these conditions throughout the full build height.