Relevance: GS-3: Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Key Phrases: MES (military engineering services), Additive manufacturing, CAD (computer-aided design), ‘Skill India’ initiative, 3D Printing, Institute of Technology-Madras-Tvasta startup Tvasta,

Why in News?

• Recently, India’s defence infrastructure development agency MES (military engineering services), has built two houses in South-Western Air Command, Gandhinagar and Jaisalmer, tapping 3D rapid construction technology from the private sector.
• The use of 3D printers by the Indian military is, however, not confined to houses alone:
  1. Expanding its usage to bunkers and parking facilities for military vehicles in border areas
  2. Trying to supplement traditional construction where construction is challenging due to harsh weather conditions and short supply of labour due to the threat from hostile neighbours.

What is 3D Printing?

• Three-dimensional printing (3-D printing), also known as Additive manufacturing (AM) process.
• In 3D printing, a 3D printer makes a three-dimensional object from a CAD (computer-aided design) file.
• The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes.
• In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created.
• Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.
• 3D printing enables us to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods.

About the 3D-House project:

• It was made with the help of a startup incubated at the Institute of Technology-Madras-Tvasta, which had raised ₹3 crore from non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity, was one of the first to successfully develop a one-storey 3D printed house that met protocols for traditional houses.
• The startup has been working with state-owned Central Building Research Institute and Structural Engineering Research Centre for approvals to ensure that the 3D printed structures are safe to live in.
• The 3D printed houses were deployed within 35 days, while traditional construction would have taken six months.
• The quick completion time is a key driver for increasing the army's interest in 3D printing technology.

What are the beneficial aspects of 3D printing in the defense arena?

• The successful completion of 3D projects will certainly increase the interest of the government in the use of 3D printing for the defence and railways sectors.
• 3D printed structures allow greater flexibility in designing and velocity in completion.
  1. For instance, the houses built by Tvasta are different from the 600-sqft one-bedroom residential unit it had built in IIT Madras campus using 3D printers in April 2021.
  2. It was constructed in five days for affordable housing.
• However, current structures for the armed forces are designed specifically for areas where conditions are hostile.
  1. For the defence Force, Tvasta has used a new composite mix and a new design to make it more adaptable to local conditions.
  2. The units in Jaisalmer, on the other hand, have a lot of curves to ensure sand deposits are avoided and it does not corrode the material.
  3. The material also has anti ultra violet (UV) properties.
• The construction of 3D-printed structures is also not labour-intensive. While some parts are printed remotely and then assembled at the site, printers can be set up on-site to print and assemble if required.
• The Indian armed forces are not the only defence organization to explore the use of 3D printed structures:
  1. Last August, the US Army unveiled a 3D-printed 3,800 sqft barrack in Texas that can accommodate 72 people.
  2. China and Russia have also completed many projects with the help of 3D-printed structures.

Opportunities for India:

• First, it eliminates large capital outlays. Machines are cheaper, inventories can be small and space requirements are not large.
• Second, this would allow for the creation of manufacturing facilities in small towns and foster industrial development outside of major cities.
• Third, it is possible to build products that are better suited for use in harsh environmental conditions.
• Fourth, in a country where use-and-throw is an anathema, maintaining old products is far easier because parts can be manufactured as needed and product life-cycles can be expanded.
• Finally, maintaining uniform product quality is far easier because the entire system is built at the same time and through the same process.

Challenges for India:

• Lack of domestic manufacturers of 3D printers: Though, there have been some attempts in producing 3D printers domestically they are not of industrial grade and industries largely depend on imports.
• High cost of imports: There is a lack of clarity relating to the import of 3-D printers that attract close to 30–40% customs duty, over and above the shipping cost.
• Employment:3D printing carries dangerous implications for employment scenarios in developing nations such as India as it decreases reliance on assembly workers.
• Lack of awareness many business entities do not opt for design-prototyping-manufacturing assistance which largely reduces the reach of 3D printing.
• Research involving 3-D printing and its allied technologies in India is inadequate for competing in the global arena.
• Lack of a centralised approach to 3-D printing has been constraining Indian institutions from undertaking intense research on 3-D printing-related technologies.

Way Forward:

• There is a need for strong support from the government and business houses for 3-D printing-related studies and R&D for the growth of technology in India.
• Research in India with regard to 3-D printing technology needs to be significantly scaled up if it is to emerge as a competitive player in this field.
• It is important to create an environment that is conducive for industry to form collaborations with foreign firms to co-create the technology.
• Training and skilling is another important aspect which requires considerable attention.
• There is huge scope under the ‘Skill India’ initiative to reach out to the many technical institutes in the country to sensitise them regarding the opportunities in 3D printing.

Source: The Hindu BL

Mains Question:

Q. What do you understand from 3-D printing technology? Critically examine the significance of 3-D printing technology in the defence modernisation, manufacturing competence and export hub for India. (15 marks).