Velo3D, the metal additive manufacturing (AM) original equipment manufacturer (OEM) based in Fremont, California, is the first metal AM OEM to achieve compliance with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Green Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG). . Green is the highest STIG compliance rating available and allows Velo3D’s Sapphire family of 3D printers to connect to the Department of Defense’s Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet).
To achieve Green STIG compliance, Velo3D was required to achieve at least 90 percent in third-party testing in four key areas: network security, data security, software security and vulnerability management. The Sapphire platform achieved an average of 97 percent in all test areas.
This allows Sapphire printers to connect not only to SIPRNet, but also to the Department of Defense’s unclassified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). The release of Velo3D to both networks means that all federal agencies and contractors using Velo3D platforms can also operate their printers over their own relevant government-managed networks.
A full-size Sapphire XC at Velo3D’s manufacturing facility in Lakeview, California. Velo3D printers comply with the US Department of Defense’s STIG cybersecurity guidelines, giving customers peace of mind that their additive manufacturing technology is protected against cyberattacks and other vulnerabilities.
Benny Buller, CEO of Velo3D, said in a press release about Velo3D achieving Department of Defense Green STIG compliance: “Our team at Velo3D is committed to going above and beyond to meet the needs of our customers, so when it comes to Customers working with the Department of Defense.” When we inquired about STIG compliance, we quickly went to work to achieve the highest level of certification available. I am proud of our team’s work in achieving this qualification and am confident that this will enable all of our customers – but particularly those working with the Department of Defense and other government agencies – to take full advantage of our company’s capabilities [AM] technology without having to worry about the risk of stolen intellectual property.”
A full-size Sapphire XC at the Velo3D manufacturing facility in Lakeview, California, along with a cross-sectional supersonic ramjet engine. Velo3D printers comply with the US Department of Defense’s STIG cybersecurity guidelines, giving customers peace of mind that their additive manufacturing technology is protected against cyberattacks and other vulnerabilities. All Velo3D printers are designed and manufactured in the USA
One of the most subtly remarkable case studies released in the AM world this year was announced back in January: Velo3D’s collaboration with British engineering firm IMI Critical and a team of five contract manufacturers to validate the Velo3D platform for distributed manufacturing Share for the oil and gas sector. I think going forward it will become increasingly clear to everyone involved in the AM sector that the ability to do this is the biggest differentiator between AM platforms.
Because to reach new heights in the size of its customer base, AM must demonstrate that it can achieve truly distributed manufacturing. At least in countries like the United States, the days of the manufacturing boom, which was characterized by the proliferation of megasite factory complexes, may be a thing of the past.
The new rules of the game are defined by maximizing productivity via cloud-connected manufacturing platforms. There are still not many OEMs that can do this consistently and safely: Markforged is one, Velo3D is another, and that’s about it for the US market.
It’s no secret that new entrants to the AM sector have had a particularly bad time in recent years, but at the same time, no one has yet seen what could happen if distributed manufacturing moves to the forefront of demand catalysts in the AM market.
Images courtesy of Velo3D