On October 6, 2026, Velo3D announced that Mears Machine, an Indianapolis-based precision machining and metal additive manufacturing company, has ordered its sixth Sapphire XC system. The new system will be dedicated to printing CuNi30 cupronickel. CuNi30 is a 70/30 copper-nickel alloy that resists seawater corrosion and maintains stable performance from low temperatures up to approximately 400°C, making it widely used in shipbuilding, seawater cooling, condensers, and heat exchangers. Mears' previous five systems run Inconel 718, Haynes 282, and CP1 aluminum alloy. With the sixth system in place, the company will establish a vertically integrated Cu-Ni supply chain within a single facility, spanning additive design, printing, machining, and final inspection. Velo3D states that this move replaces traditional cast hardware with LPBF cupronickel components, enabling rapid delivery without tooling. The new system will use Velo3D Flow print preparation software and Assure quality reports. Value for powder buyers: (1) CuNi30 cupronickel powder now has a clear purchasing entity, and sphericity and oxygen content metrics must match the Sapphire XC process window; (2) the shift from casting to LPBF for U.S. domestic marine cupronickel parts opens a certification entry point for copper alloy powder suppliers; (3) monitor Mears' subsequent expansion pace and its associated demand on the copper powder supply chain.