---
title: "Mears Machine orders fifth Velo3D Sapphire XC to expand production capacity"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/mears-machine-orders-fifth-velo3d-sapphire-xc-to-expand-production-capacity/
date: 2026-07-14
modified: 2026-07-14
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "Mears Machine Corporation has ordered its fifth Velo3D Sapphire XC metal additive manufacturing system, with options to purchase two additional units, Velo3D has confirmed. The Fremont, California-based printer maker said..."
categories:
  - "3D Printer Hardware"
  - "Aerospace AM"
  - "AM for Energy"
  - "Defense"
  - "Industrial Additive Manufacturing"
  - "Metal Additive Manufacturing"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Velo3D-Mears-Corp-01-640x415.jpg
word_count: 367
---

# Mears Machine orders fifth Velo3D Sapphire XC to expand production capacity

[Mears Machine Corporation](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/mears-machine/) has ordered its fifth [Velo3D](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/velo3d/) Sapphire XC metal additive manufacturing system, with options to purchase two additional units, Velo3D has confirmed. The Fremont, California-based printer maker said the investment supports Mears' work with customers in aviation, defense, energy and space – sectors that have pushed manufacturers toward domestic, resilient supply chains.

[The fifth Sapphire XC expands Mears' production capacity in nickel superalloys and aluminum](https://www.voxelmatters.com/mears-machine-purchases-third-velo3d-sapphire-xc-metal-3d-printer/), including Inconel 718, Haynes 282 and CP1 aluminum and gives the company a platform to qualify additional materials as customer requirements evolve. Mears combines precision machining, metal additive manufacturing and engineering services.

## Software and process controls

![Mears Machine orders fifth Velo3D Sapphire XC to expand production capacity](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Velo3D-Mears-Corp-02-340x340.jpg)

The system runs on Velo3D's Flow print preparation software and Assure quality reporting tool, along with software-driven calibration and standardized process controls that, according to Velo3D, keep output consistent across multiple systems and manufacturing sites. [The Sapphire XC platform is built to produce large, complex metal components](https://www.voxelmatters.com/new-sapphire-xc-1mz-enables-metal-3d-printing-up-to-1m-in-height/) that Velo3D said are difficult or impossible to manufacture using conventional methods.

James Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer of Mears Machine Corporation, said: “Our customers are increasingly looking for manufacturing partners that can do more than build parts. They need engineering expertise, production capacity, and a scalable manufacturing strategy that can support programs from concept through production.

“We have demonstrated our ability to deliver for customers operating in some of the world's most demanding industries. Purchasing our fifth Velo3D system, while securing the flexibility to expand our fleet as customer demand grows, allows us to maintain the responsiveness and lead times our customers expect while supporting larger production programs and continuing to invest responsibly for long-term growth.”

Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer of Velo3D, added: “Manufacturers today are looking beyond prototypes and asking how to scale production with confidence. Mears continues to demonstrate a thoughtful, disciplined approach to growing its advanced manufacturing capabilities. Their investment reflects confidence in both the market opportunity and the value of a scalable manufacturing platform.

“Together, we are helping customers accelerate qualification, reduce time to market, and establish distributed manufacturing strategies across aviation, defense, energy, and space.”

[Velo3D recently announced the opening of a new 289,000-square-foot facility in Livermore, California](https://www.voxelmatters.com/velo3d-opening-289k-sq-ft-facility-livermore-triple-metal-am-production/), to help deal with the increasing demand from the aerospace and defense sectors.