A tie-up between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) is set to introduce Metal 3D Printing into the mainstream of India's aerospace manufacturing.

3D Printing using Metal Additive Technology has revolutionised precision manufacturing globally, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors. It enables faster design, eliminates the requirement for tooling and lends itself to quick manufacture of parts with greater material strength and lesser number of joints. It also enables quick production of spares, weight and geometry optimisation through flexible design, development and manufacturing.

3D Printing using Metal Additive Technology has revolutionised precision manufacturing globally, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors

The HAL-Wipro collaboration includes "proving out" or validation of aircraft parts manufactured through the 3D Printing Technique through flight testing, and also the repair of components.

"In a first HAL, India's aerospace, and defence company and Wipro 3D, the metal additive manufacturing (AM) business of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), have signed an MOU recently to design, develop, prove out, manufacture and repair of Aerospace Components using Metal Additive Technology. This MoU also accentuates development, prove out and application of new material for use in Metal Additive Technology," HAL announced through a statement on January 2.

The HAL-Wipro collaboration includes "proving out" or validation of aircraft parts manufactured through the 3D Printing Technique through flight testing, and also the repair of components

"The path breaking initiative will focus on development, prove out and production of Aerospace applications including MRO, using metal Additive Manufacturing. Prove-outs and certification of components developed using Metal 3D Printing is also a key element of this co-operation," the statement added.

The tie-up was hailed by Shekhar Shrivastava, CEO of HAL's Bangalore Complex. "This initiative between HAL and Wipro 3D will create a unique synergy of capabilities that can accelerate the adoption of metal additive manufacturing in Aerospace in India. Qualification of parts for Aerospace is challenging as it would require prove out and extensive testing followed by certification by regulatory authorities which may also include flight testing. This cooperation would be a unique opportunity for both the parties. Metal 3D printing has the potential to play a significant role in the success of national aerospace and defense platforms including HAL's own needs,” Shrivastava said.

3D Printing capability will be used both for the manufacture of new aircraft by HAL and also the repair and maintenance of legacy equipment

"Wipro 3D and HAL have worked together in the past. This further strengthens our collaborative efforts to create additive technology leadership in Aerospace," said Pratik Kumar, CEO Wipro Infrastructure Engineering.

3D Printing capability will be used both for the manufacture of new aircraft by HAL and also the repair and maintenance of legacy equipment. “The MoU will provide significant manufacturing and MRO flexibility and freedom to existing, upcoming, and legacy Aerospace programmes. The Additive Technology capability Wipro3D has built over years in Aerospace and Defense verticals will help us in collaborating with HAL, ” said Ajay Parikh, Vice President & Business Head Wipro 3D.