Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have built a metal 3D printer using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology. Except for the laser and robot systems, every component of the IIT Jodhpur Metal 3D printer is designed and built in India. According to an IIT Jodhpur release, the project’s major goal is to lower the cost of Metal 3D printers and attract a wider spectrum of users.
The project has been funded by the Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The research team from IIT Jodhpur involved in this project are Dr Ravi KR, Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr.V. Narayanan, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Dr Abir Bhattacharyya, Assistant Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr Sumit Kalra, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr Rahul Chhibber, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr Hardik Kothadia, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
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Dr Ravi KR, Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, stated of this indigenously developed 3D printer, ” “The minor success of this research has given our team enormous encouragement to try new things. Furthermore, it will increase the trust that funding agencies and industry have in our team and organisation, as well as the faith that they will have in us in the future.”
Despite the fact that Metal 3D printing technology was introduced a few years after Polymer 3D printing, an institution statement stated: “It has yet to experience the remarkable growth that the polymer 3D sector has attained, particularly in India.” Some of the reasons for the limited adoption of metal 3D printers are the high price of the device and the more expensive proprietary metal powders imported from abroad.”
The printer created by IIT Jodhpur can be used to repair and add material to existing components. As a result, it’s excellent for printing completely functional parts for a variety of industries, including aerospace, defence, automotive, oil and gas, and general engineering, among others, according to the statement.
The study was supported by the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) Division (DST). PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, PSG Industrial Institute, Coimbatore, and VectraForm Engineering Solutions, Coimbatore are other academic and industrial collaborators.
With metal powders manufactured in India, this machine can print 3D items. This machine also includes India’s first state-of-the-art variable spot size laser optics for laser cladding and additive manufacturing processes without sacrificing laser beam uniformity.
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