Adding On

IT IS BETTER FOR MANUFACTURING COMPANIES TO MOVE TO ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AS IT SAVES IMMENSE COSTS ON DESIGNING AND CREATING PRODUCTS.

- Bindu Gopal Rao

IN INDIA, THE ADOPTION OF ADDITIVE manufacturing or 3D printing (or AM as it is popularly known) is increasing. The proof is in the figures — nearly 30 machines were sold last year. In 2015 and 2016 it was just four or five machines. But the need is growing. Small as well as large enterprises are taking advantage of additive manufacturing technology and even public sector companies are using additive manufacturing. Globally companies are using AM for production. But in India, it is largely used for prototyping. Incidentally additive manufacturing (AM) has been around for close to three decades and there has been a significant technology upgradation last few years.

LOOKING BACK 

The AM technology has evolved from prototyping development. It has shifted to manufacturing. The machines themselves, the processing technologies and the materials have also evolved. Some of the areas are aerospace, dental and medical. “A lot of software is being developed in parallel. A robust ecosystem has come up. It is not a standalone mechanism but can be included in the production chain. That has been the leap forward. The one big advantage of AM is that irrespective of industries, it can cater to many industry verticals. What was earlier done with 100 or 200 people, additive manufacturing can help achieve the same with four to five people,” says Anand Prakasam, country manager - India, ‎EOS GmbH India Branch Office.

DOING IT RIGHT