IIT Hyderabad, DRDO Advance Additive Manufacturing
India has taken a major leap in advanced manufacturing with the unveiling of a Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) system at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad. Developed in collaboration with DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and industry partners, this breakthrough technology strengthens India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The LAAM system leverages Powder-based Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology, which uses high-powered lasers and metal powder to 3D print complex components layer by layer. With a build volume of 1m × 1m × 3m, it is one of India’s largest metal 3D printing machines, capable of producing large-scale rocket and aerospace components that were difficult to manufacture conventionally.
The project represents indigenous innovation, marking a step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The system’s key features include dual printing heads that ensure thermal balance, reduce distortions, and improve efficiency. It has successfully fabricated a 1-meter-tall metal component, demonstrating its ability to handle large-scale manufacturing needs.
Indian industry demonstrates its dedication to global additive manufacturing leadership through the cooperative partnership between DRDO and IIT Hyderabad. Upcoming phases of development aim to integrate artificial intelligence together with blockchain systems to optimize quality control procedures, authentication methods, and production, solidifying India’s position in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.