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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have created a Metal 3D printer using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology. With the exception of the laser and robot systems, every component of the IIT Jodhpur Metal 3D printer was developed and produced in India. According to a statement from IIT Jodhpur, the project's major goal is to lower the price of Metal 3D printers and draw in a wider audience of customers.

Dr. Ravi KR, Associate Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. V. Narayanan, Associate Professor of Physics, Dr. Abir Bhattacharyya, Assistant Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. Sumit Kalra, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Rahul Chhibber, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and others make up the research team from IIT Jodhpur working on this project.

Dr. Ravi KR, Associate Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. V. Narayanan, Associate Professor of Physics, Dr. Abir Bhattacharyya, Assistant Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. Sumit Kalra, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Rahul Chhibber, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and others make up the research team from IIT Jodhpur working on this project.

Despite the fact that Metal 3D printing technology was introduced a few years after Polymer 3D printing, an institution statement stated: "It has yet to experience the remarkable growth that the polymer 3D sector has attained, particularly in India." Some of the reasons for the limited adoption of metal 3D printers are the high price of the device and the more expensive proprietary metal powders imported from abroad."

The printer created by IIT Jodhpur can be used to repair and add material to existing components. As a result, it's excellent for printing completely functional parts for a variety of industries, including aerospace, defense, automotive, oil and gas, and general engineering, among others, according to the statement.

The Department of Science and Technology's Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) Division provided funding for the project (DST). PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, PSG Industrial Institute, Coimbatore, and VectraForm Engineering Solutions, Coimbatore are other academic and industrial collaborators.

With metal powders manufactured in India, this machine can print 3D items. This machine also includes India's first state-of-the-art variable spot size laser optics for laser cladding and additive manufacturing processes without sacrificing laser beam uniformity.