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:
- Expanding its usage to bunkers and parking facilities for military vehicles in border areas
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- For the defence Force, Tvasta has used a new composite mix and a new design to make it more adaptable to local conditions.
- 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.
- 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:
- Last August, the US Army unveiled a 3D-printed 3,800 sqft barrack in Texas that can accommodate 72 people.
- 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).