IIT Mandi researchers present an extrusion-based method as a cost-effective alternative in metal 3D printing.
The technology surpasses traditional methods in safety, cost, and design-friendliness.
Potential to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and strengthen local production, especially for small businesses and startups.
A Milestone in Metal Additive Manufacturing: IIT Mandi Introduces an Innovative Extrusion Method with the Potential to Make Metal 3D Printing Safer, More Affordable, and Accessible.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have achieved a breakthrough in metal 3D printing, potentially making the landscape-changing technology more accessible. The newly discovered extrusion-based method not only surpasses conventional metal AM technologies in efficiency and safety but also promises to reduce the costs of metal additive manufacturing.
The research, titled "Filament Production and Subsequent Additive Manufacturing, Debinding, and Sintering for Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing of Metals and Their Applications: An Overview," emphasizes that the layer-by-layer manufacturing process allows the construction of robust and complex components through Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs or 3D scans. This versatile method finds applications in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, spare parts, heat sinks, biomedical devices, and construction materials.
Naveen Kumar Bankapalli, a research student at IIT Mandi, stated: "This layer-by-layer manufacturing process provides flexibility in designing complex structures and is applicable in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, spare parts, heat sinks, biomedical devices, and construction materials."
The extrusion-based method particularly excels in aerospace applications, where lightweight construction and cost efficiency are crucial. Compared to popular metal AM technologies like powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED), the extrusion-based method is more cost-effective, less hazardous, and design-friendly.
Prateek Saxena, Assistant Professor at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at IIT Mandi, emphasizes that currently foreign companies dominate the entire process, creating a monopoly. IIT Mandi's goal is to empower potential producers with a comprehensive understanding of the process so they can independently develop the technology.
