While Russia has its fair share of 3D printing–related businesses and research activities, the country may be farther behind in adoption when compared to the United States, Europe and the rest of Asia.
It was only this year that the country’s first Russian-made metal 3D printer finally emerged.
The company that produced it, however, is no start-up. The TSNIITMASH metal 3D printer was developed by none other than the state-owned nuclear energy company ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation.
Like other metal sintering machines, the TSNIITMASH uses a laser to fuse metal powder. Specifically, the system features a 1kW laser and a three-axis optical scanning system, allowing it to print metal powders such as titanium, aluminum, copper and iron. Overall, these specifications compare to more robust metal sintering machines, such as the X line 2000R from Concept Laser and the EOS M400.
What’s essential for ROSATOM, however, is the fact that about 75 percent of the parts used in the TSNIITMASH are produced domestically, with the company suggesting that this number will be pushed up to 90 percent. The ability to produce the technology within Russia will bring the cost of the system down to about RUB₽30 million (USD$455,242). At about half the cost of imported machines, the ROSATOM 3D printer will allow Russia to better compete in the global market.
Read more at ENGINEERING.com
