LUDHIANA: 25-year-old Jaspreet Singh hailing from Basant Nagar at Partap Singh Walla village has come up with a 3D printer which is 20 times cheaper than an average 3D printer present in the market.
Jaspreet, a research engineer at CT University, said, “With a cost of Rs 30,000, this 3D printer is equivalent to a precision sand printer worth Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.” Mechanical parts like linear slides, liner bearings have been built in-house at CT University workshop, where he started his research work in the course of which he assembled various required items.
This industrial class precision FDM (
fused deposition modeling) type 3D printer has unique features. Singh has used a technology using which one can manufacture any type of infinitely complex parts which are impossible to manufacture using conventional manufacturing methods. He has made phone covers, mugs and toys using the technology.
One can create 3D model of desired shape and dimensions in any CAD (Computer Aided Design) software or can scan any existing physical part and save the design using any CAM software of the design. 3D printer machine will read the file and create the physical replica of that virtual model. Interestingly, parts from a number of synthetic materials can be manufactured using the technology like PLA- Poly Lactic Acid, ABS, Poly carbonate, wood filament, bronze composite, copper composite,
iron composite, wax filament.
Jaspreet said, ‘3D printers have numerous applications in industrial, medical, architecture and a number of other domains. It is environment-friendly and leads to safe manufacturing process.” He further added, “In the field of medicine, this economical printer can be used for creating prosthetic limbs and customized casts for bone fracture and joint replacement parts. Not only will it help in 3D mash for plastic surgery but also help in making customized orthopedic foot soles.’
It was added that the printer will be of a great help as toys formed using it will be eco-friendly as well.
Singh states that there are infinite applications yet to be explored. “In collaboration with doctors we are researching to develop a 3D printer capable of printing living body organs. We have printers with print capability of 300mm x 300mm x300mm and resolution of upto 10 micron layer (height).”
CT University has established an incubation centre under the flagship of Research and Innovation Centre for Excellence (RICE). The incubation centre provides an environment for start-ups to develop and provide services such as management training and space for office. The new venture helps in managing all operational activities related to incubate companies and centre like program development.
Harsh Sadawarti, pro vice-chancellor, said , ‘In the current scenario, 3D printing process has been used in manufacturing, medical, industrial and sociocultural sectors which have facilitated 3D printing to become successful commercial technology.’
