Velo3D targets Japanese market through distribution agreement with TNSC (Mitsubishi Group)
Metal AM company Velo3D is entering the Japanese market through an exclusive distribution agreement with Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), which is owned for 50% by Mitsubishi Chemical. The company, a provider of welding solutions and industrial gases, will represent Velo3D and its metal AM offering (including the Sapphire 3D printer, Flow pre-print software and Assure quality control software) in Japan.
In addition to becoming an exclusive distributor of Velo3D products in Japan, TNSC has also purchased Velo3D’s complete additive manufacturing solution. The sale marks the first installation of a Sapphire system in Japan and the second in the Asia Pacific region.
“This partnership is a key part of our total solution strategy in the additive manufacturing market by partnering with market leading Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technology suppliers,” said Kunihiro Kobayashi, Corporate Officer TNSC. “Velo3D’s Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) solution is the most differentiated in the market with its SupportFree capabilities providing the capacity to print even the most complex geometries with quality and consistency. We are excited to bring the Sapphire machine to Japanese customers.”
Introduced in September 2018, Velo3D’s Sapphire 3D printer has unique capabilities in that it can achieve support-free 3D printing of metal parts. In an in-depth interview with VELO3D’s Chief Customer Officer Richard Nieset, we learned about what sets the technology apart from competing laser-based systems on the market. The technology’s success, he explained, is based on three key elements: software, closed loop control and a special recoater process.
“Our mission is to enable OEMs in our key market verticals to gain trust in 3D metal printing as a dependable manufacturing technology,” said Benny Buller, Founder and CEO of Velo3D. “Our end-to-end solution enables users to adopt additive manufacturing without extensive redesign, increasing the viability of 3D metal printing of existing parts. We believe TNSC is the best representative of this message in Japan, based on their unique expertise in welding processes, heat treatment and gas optimization.”
To date, Velo3D’s technology has been adopted by customers in the aerospace and oil and gas industries. The company has reported sales upwards of $24 million and customers include Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, Boom Supersonic and others.
