Russia Finally Begins With 3D Printing

Russia might be having the technological prowess in several domains, the country is still far behind the adoption of latest technologies has compared to Asia, Europe, and USA. the present year brought a lot of new things for the nation along with a metal 3D printer that is first of its kind here. It is being produced by country’s own nuclear energy firm – ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation.

Called as TSNIITMASH metal 3D printer, this one is pretty much like all other metal sintering machines, it fuses metal powder through a laser. The printing system sports a 1kW laser along with a 3-axis optical scanning system that permits it to print various metal powders like aluminum, iron, copper, and titanium. On a whole, these specification are very much similar to stronger metal sintering machines like X Line 2000R from the EOS M400 and Concept Laser.

What makes ROSATOM more interesting is the fact that around 3/4th of the components used in this printer come from domestic production and the company aims to bring this number of 90 percent in coming years. Local production will help Russia in avoiding unwanted expenses by USD$455, 242 (RUB₽30 million). Since the cost of production of this printer is half of other imported machines, it will play a key role in making Russia a stronger global player.

The deputy director of ROSATOM’s Sciences and Innovation Division, Aleksey Dub, disclosed that the company plans to utilize the technology in production of nuclear parts and then expanding its usage to other sectors. In his exact words, “Over two and a half years, 3D printing became one of the leading areas of ROSATOM’s nonnuclear business. Today, a roadmap and strategy of additive technology development in the nuclear industry has been formulated. By the end of 2018, ROSATOM should have the full set of expertise needed to offer additive technology services. There are plans to have equipment, materials, and technologies in order to offer the possibility of implementing any design ideas in the form of finished products.”

ROSATOM’s strategy of production and design takes after the latest trends from other nations who are busy in development of 3D printing on a domestic level for bringing down the costs. On the same platform are engaged various other energy producing firms like GE that are exploring other aspects of this technology.