HAL Joins Hands With Wipro For Metal 3D Printing In Aerospace

Hindustan Aeronautics and Wipro 3D have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design, develop, manufacture, and repair aerospace components using metal additive technology, The Hindu Business Line recently reported.

The new initiative will focus on development, prove out, and production of aerospace applications, including the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), using metal additive manufacturing.

Prove outs and certification of components developed using metal 3D printing are also key components of this cooperation, notes the announcement.

Executive Opinion

Shekhar Shrivastava, CEO, Bangalore Complex, HAL, said, "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 to prove out and extensive testing followed by certification by regulatory authorities, which may also include flight testing."

Pratik Kumar, the CEO, Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, said, "This MoU will bring metal 3D printing into the mainstream of India's Aerospace. Wipro 3D and HAL have worked together in the past. This further strengthens our collaborative efforts to create additive technology leadership in Aerospace."

Ajay Parikh, Vice President & Business Head, Wipro 3D, said, "The MoU will provide significant manufacturing and MRO flexibility and freedom to existing, upcoming, and legacy aerospace programs. The additive technology capability Wipro3D has built over the years in aerospace and defense verticals will help us in collaborating with HAL."

More about the Aerospace industry

Across the globe, the Aerospace industry has been one of the foremost adopters of Metal 3D printing due to the benefits of faster design iterations, weight and geometry optimization, flexible manufacturing, and performance improvements, according to the announcement.

Previously, HP had signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society and Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board to accelerate the adoption of 3D printing in sectors such as defense, aerospace, consumer goods, and automotive.