National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), India’s second largest aerospace firm, has recently demonstrated 3D printed prototypes used for the design and validation of various aerospace components at an exhibition in Bangalore, making NAL one of the latest aerospace organizations to adopt advanced 3D printing and additive manufacturing to develop the next generation of defense and aerospace technologies.
The demonstration took place between the 10th and 12th of December at the
MSME DEFEXPO 2015, an MSME (micro, small medium enterprises) Sub-Contracting and Supply Exhibition for India’s Defense, Aerospace and Homeland Security. The exhibition seeks to connect MSMEs with leaders in the defense and aerospace industry supply chain—and in this case, the connection occurred between
NAL and
J Group Robotics, a ‘home grown Indian’ 3D printer manufacturer that has previously been involved in developing technologies for construction 3D printers and 3D printed robots.
NAL procured J Robotics’ Dimension Dual Delta XL 3D system, a large-format 3D printer with a build volume of 420x420x720mm, and used J Robotics’ 3D printing technology in order to manufacture 3D printed prototypes of aerospace components. According to J Robotics, NAL intends to continue using this technology in order to explore 3D printed solutions for wind tunnel testing, as well as other applications for developing new components or quality tests within the aerospace sector.
J Robotics Founder and Chairman
Vishal Jariwala said that due to the great scope of 3D printing applications within the aerospace sectors, including moving components, design validation, and more, “MSME 3D printing companies like J Group Robotics shall stand a chance to experiment and collaborate with National Aerospace Laboratories.” NAL was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and has the prime responsibility of developing civilian aircraft in India.
3D printing technology is increasingly being sought out by aerospace and defense organizations across the world, from
NASA to the
US Air Force to
South Korea and
Morocco, as it significantly reduces the time required to develop and manufacture high-value parts in complex metal alloys. Thanks to advancements in new 3D printing materials and processes, these parts are also lighter, faster, and safer than ever before.
India’s 3D printing innovation has also been making headlines this week thanks to a biotech startup that has successfully developed
3D bioprinted human liver tissue. In addition, German industrial 3D printer manufacturer
voxeljet also recently announced a new subsidiary in India, in an attempt to drive the up-and-coming Indian 3D printing market.