3D Printed Pressure Vessels

By printing pressure vessels and fuel tanks using our Sapphire family of printers, engineers can meet their design objectives and adapt quickly to changing product requirements. With the ability to print a complete system as a single part, engineers can create a fully functional component that is lighter, stronger, and reduces the risk of leaks.

Optimal Strength to Weight Ratio

Reduced Risk of Leaks

Dozen of Parts Reduced to One

Part Production in Weeks vs Months

Application Definition

Optimization & Manufacturing Challenges

Velo3D Enablement

Engineers use pressure vessels to hold vital fluids under high pressure. Often found in satellites or rocket engines, these seemingly simple components are often critical to mission success and can be challenging to manufacture due to advanced plumbing features and light weighting.

When designing metal pressure vessels for high value vehicles, designers focus on a few key points. Obviously, they need to maximize strength and minimize weight but, it is also common that they need to conform to tight packaging and be able to quickly adjust the shape in response to changes elsewhere in the craft.

One of the challenges in manufacturing high pressure vessels through traditional means is in maintaining high mating surface quality. Every weld or joint exposed to high pressure is a point of potential failure and can lower the total pressure that the vessel is capable of holding. This not only compromises the performance of a traditionally manufactured design but also increases the yield loss experienced in manufacturing.

With Velo3D’s fully integrated solution, engineers can print these devices as a homogenous, single unit, reducing part count from dozens to a single component. Furthermore, by printing the part, you have the freedom to achieve the optimal weight to strength ratio. This creates more capacity for revenue generating components to be added to the craft while keeping the total weight down. Engineers can rapidly print the desired shapes and consistently achieve the target mechanical properties.

Velo3D’s system also tracks the print, layer by layer, recording every laser hatch and every recoat with Assure. By monitoring ~1,000 different sensors representing over a terabyte of data, Assure reduces the risk of manufacturing and increases confidence that your pressure vessel will perform as designed.

Do More and Go Further with Velo3D

Schedule a call with an expert to learn how Velo3D can transform your business and solve your engineering challenges.

Real-World Application

Launcher

“Rocket engine turbopump parts typically require casting, forging and welding. Tooling required for these processes increases the cost of development and reduces flexibility between design iterations. The ability to 3D print our turbopump—including rotating Inconel shrouded impellers, thanks to Velo3D’s zero-degree technology makes it possible now at a lower cost and increased innovation through iteration between each prototype.”

Max Haot – Founder & CEO – Launcher

Do more and go further with Velo3D

Schedule a call with an expert to learn how Velo3D can transform your business and solve your engineering challenges.