The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has purchased a Magic 800 Directed Energy Deposition (DED) machine from AddUp, a French metal 3D printer, to increase its aerospace and AM capabilities. India is a relative newcomer to the global space business, and this purchase will assist bolster its standing in the industry.
This metal 3D printer is the largest of AddUp’s 5-axis CNC, blown powder DED machines, and it debuted in the first half of 2023. The Magic 800 can handle even the most difficult projects because to its powerful 2 kW laser, two removable heads, and enormous 1800 mm x 1000 mm x 1000 mm build capacity. It’s built on an inert enclosure design, so you may use it even with reactive powders.
AddUp’s French facility in Saint-Laurent les Tours was overjoyed to host the ISRO team for the machine’s commissioning before it was shipped to India in late August 2023. This trip coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to France, which celebrated 25 years of cooperation between India and France.
New Metal 3D Printer for ISRO
With the purchase of AddUp’s Magic 800 Directed Energy Deposition (DED) metal 3D printer, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is bolstering its aerospace and additive manufacturing capabilities. Introduced by AddUp in the first half of 2023, this machine is the biggest of their 5-axis CNC, blown powder DED machines. The Magic 800 metal 3D printer can handle even the most difficult projects because to its powerful 2 kW laser, two removable heads, and enormous 1800 mm x 1000 mm x 1000 mm build capacity. It’s built on an inert enclosure design, so you may use it even with reactive powders.
ISRO, as far as Addup can tell, ISRO is planning to improve India’s standing in the global space industry. This is by working to create components for space applications and bolstering research and development skills which started with this metal 3D printer. This DED metal 3D printer will allow them to produce essential components for space travel. AddUp CEO Julien Marcilly said, “Access to Space is a key part of our collaborative roadmap with ISRO, and we will provide our full support so that ISRO can realize all benefits of our Directed Energy Deposition technology to develop and industrialize innovative space applications.”
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AddUp’s French facility in Saint-Laurent les Tours was overjoyed to host the ISRO team for the machine’s commissioning before it was shipped to India in late August 2023. This trip after the metal 3D printer coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to France, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
India France Relationship After this
The strategic connection between India and France has become the country’s most important after the coordinated events of the ISRO team’s and Modi’s state visits. Concerns over China’s expanding influence have bolstered the two countries’ alliance, sparking more debate in France. Many French citizens believe their government puts profit before democracy in India’s pursuit of large defense contracts.
This opinion becomes more justified in light of India’s massive defense budget, which includes Modi’s $4.4 billion purchase of 36 Rafale fighter fighters in 2015. With commerce between the two countries reaching €25 billion in 2022, France has surpassed the United States as India’s second-largest supplier of weaponry. They work together in various fields, from aerospace to aviation to energy. However, New Delhi’s decision to not object to Russia’s activities in Ukraine further complicates the international relations between the two nations.
Given the world’s interconnectedness, space exploration is another field in which countries compete for dominance. ISRO’s decision to invest in 3D printing technology will keep them at the forefront of space exploration while other countries push the envelope. As other space agencies have realized, this isn’t just about having the best tools available; it’s also about the opportunities those tools provide, like the chance to try out novel materials and designs and build components that can withstand the extreme conditions of space.
