ISRO successfully conducts hot testing of liquid rocket engine – PS4 engine (fourth stage of PSLV) – manufactured through Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology.
- It was developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO.
- It resulted in saving of raw material usage and production time.
AM / 3D Printing
- It is defined as the technology that constructs a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model by adding material layer by layer.
- It is the opposite of subtractive (traditional) manufacturing, in which an object is created by cutting away at a solid block of material.
- AM materials include thermoplastics, metal and metal alloys, ceramics, and biomaterials such as bio-inks.
Key Applications of AM technology
- Healthcare – Custom implants, tumour models, surgical instruments, etc.
- Aerospace and defence – Components like airframes, landing gears, drones, etc.
- Electronics – Wearable devices, robots, RFID devices, etc.
- Others – Construction, consumer goods including clothing, furniture, automotive, etc.
Advantages of AM technology
Lower inventory, reduced time, creating complex and custom designs, little wastage, creating objects with functionally graded materials, etc.
Challenges
- Expensive: Initial investment in equipment is substantial.
- Technical Challenges: Slow production speed, quality concerns, and lack of international standards.
- Other Challenges: Workforce shortage, lack of material availability, design integration, etc.
Steps taken by the Government
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