To enhance additive manufacturing and foster the growth of local supply chains
CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi, a pioneering research institute in South Asia dedicated to Electrochemical science and technology, is contributing in multi-faceted areas like electrochemical power sources, corrosion protection, electroplating, electrochemicals, green hydrogen and of late carbon capture & utilization and smart manufacturing. CSIR-CECRI addresses national goals through technological innovation, translational research and its commercialization.
M/s Monotech Systems Limited, Chennai joined hands with CSIR-CECRI by taking these technologies and entering into its 7th vertical of developing a supply chain of raw materials for additive manufacturing.
Monotech, established in 1999, forayed into Additive Manufacturing eight years back and partnered with global 3D printer suppliers to bring the solutions to various industries in India. Monotech was one of the pioneers to release the potential of 3D printing and scanning in the manufacturing applications and offer a complete range of products and solutions through thermoplastics, thermosets, UV curable plastics, wax, metals and ceramics.
Today, a new partnership has embarked between CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi and M/s Monotech Systems Limited, Chennai through Transfer of Technologies (ToTs)
(i) Process for carbon coated polymer material and
(ii) Process for fabrication of indigenous 3D printable polymer composite filaments.
The memorable event happened in the presence of Dr. K Ramesha, who has taken over as Director of CSIR-CECRI recently along with a team of scientists including Dr. V. Ravi Babu, Dr. L. Sravanthi, Dr. S. Vasudevan, Dr. A. Sivashanmugam and personnel from Monotech, Mr. Tej Prakash Jain, Managing Director and Mr. Rajesh Mrithyunjayan, Vice-president. Dr. Ramesha, emphasized that smart manufacturing is emerging as one of the leading technologies, which finds multifarious applications in biomedical, automotive, defence and construction front.
CSIR-CECRI is contributing immensely towards development of newer metal and polymer materials for additive manufacturing as import substitution in the context of “ATHMANIRBHAR BHARAT”. Further, Dr. K Ramesha added that the major challenge lies on the development of indigenous polymer filaments, which are imported at present, as suitable feedstock for additive manufacturing.
The present ToTs pave way for creating indigenous supply chain and would save foreign exchange. The technology offers the fabrication route for carbon reinforced polymer composite filaments, which can be made into 3D printed components with superior mechanical strength as well as thermal characteristics.