Intech Additive Solutions, India’s first indigenous manufacturer of Metal 3D Printers based on Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology, expands its range of metal 3D printers with the launch of its Large Format LF machines. Doing so, adds to its existing range of Small Format SF machines.
Poeir Jets, India’s first manufacturer of micro-Jet engines, selects Intech’s LF machines to make parts for its Heavy-lift Drones. The LF series of machines have a build volume of 450x450x450mm. The range starts with a single 500W laser printer and is upgradeable to a quad laser configuration with 700W and 1000W lasers if required. The LF series of machines require the lowest initial investment to procure and install, compared to other similar-sized metal 3D printers – along with locally available spares and support.
The LF machines come bundled with an automated powder handling, part removal, and powder sieving systems. They tightly integrate with Intech’s software suite for Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM). The Metal AM software suite delivers intuitive build processing, optimal path generation, and parameter optimisation to maximise the machine hardware’s performance.
Overall, the LF series aims to deliver robustness and productivity at a competitive MHR and lowest cost per part (CPP).
“Indian companies have a huge interest in 3D Printers that build parts larger than 400mm. All these machines have to be imported and are prohibitively expensive. There are other issues like long lead times for support and spares, making Indian companies ultimately settle for the less expensive mid-sized machines. The iFusion LF Series (450×450x450mm) fills this void. The system supports a wide range of materials like Aluminium, Titanium, Steel, Inconel and Cobalt Chrome addressing the needs of a wide range of industries” said Pradeep Nair, Vice President – Hardware Sales, Intech.
Poeir Jets is the first company from India into the design, development, and manufacture of propulsion systems for unmanned aerial applications and micro-Jet engines for UAS (unmanned Aerial Solutions) and Heavy lift Drones.
Poeir Jets has been using 3D printed parts printed with the iFusion SF machines from Intech Additive Solutions for their micro-Jet engine programs for the last six months. Their jet engines are in the final stage of testing and will shortly be entering commercial production.
With the help of metal 3D printed parts, Poeir was able to build prototypes in a short period of time, and carry its tests and analysis for parts like Nozzle guide vane, Combustion Chamber, Turbine, Manifold, Outer Casing, Turboshaft engine, Gearbox casings for heavy-lift hybrid drones and bigger thrust class engines. With conventionally manufactured parts, this process would have taken at least three years.
With the success of the 3D printed parts from Intech, Poeir Jets have begun printing larger parts with an iFusion LF system for their production needs.
“The 3D printed parts from the iFusion series performed exceptionally well during the testing phases and proved to be of production quality. Intech’s 3D printers helped us achieve the required scale for commercialising manufacturing and ensuring lower cost per part. We are now moving to printing parts on Intech’s LF series of machines. The LF’s larger build envelope suits our needs to print parts for our engine and Hybrid Drones. This, coupled with the lower costs compared to imported systems, local spares and support availability among other things, make it an automatic choice for us” says, K.S. Swami, Director, Poeir Jets.
Sridhar Balaram, CEO, Intech said – “The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has identified Additive Manufacturing (AM) as a critical focus area. The Government plans to promote various AM sector verticals, including machines, materials, software, and design methodologies to leverage new and untapped business opportunities. This initiative will prepare the Indian manufacturing sector for Industry 4.0 and evolve an integrated approach towards this emerging technology. Intech’s range of metal 3D printers is indigenously designed and manufactured for both the Indian and global markets. In this regard it is “Made in India, Built for the World” captures the essence of the Aatmanirbhar initiative of the Indian Government. We have an excellent team in place and are confident of enhancing and growing the Indian AM ecosystem with our range of metal 3D printers, and end-to-end metal AM solutions.”
The support and participation of DMG Mori – one of the largest machine tool manufacturers globally – as Intech’s investment partner, underlines its strong commitment to Intech’s growth.
