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IITRAM Opens Lab for Additive Manufacturing in Ahmedabad

IITRAM Opens Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory, Holds Laser Metal 3D Printing Training

The Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management (IITRAM) in Ahmedabad has opened an Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Laboratory and held practical training on laser-based Directed Energy Deposition (DED), a technology used to build or repair metal parts by adding material in layers.

The activities took place under the National Seminar Programme on “Advanced Technologies for Societal and Strategic Applications”, organised as part of Vikas Saptah 2026. The programme is being held at IITRAM from October 1 to 10, with support from the Government of Gujarat and the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG).

The new laboratory is intended to give students, research scholars and faculty members access to practical work in advanced manufacturing and materials research. The training introduced participants to the equipment, materials and operating methods used in laser-based metal additive manufacturing.

Prof. P. K. Jain, Director General of IITRAM, inaugurated the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Laboratory. The event was attended by Shri Ashwin S. Patel, President of the Ahmedabad Engineering Manufacturers’ Association (AEMA); Shri Jitendra Panchal, Member of AEMA; Prof. M. K. Barua, Director of IITRAM; Dr Ajit Kumar Parwani, Dean (Research and Development); and Dr Pramod Bhingole, Dean (OAA).

The laboratory is expected to support teaching and research involving newer methods of making and studying materials. Its value will depend on how regularly students and researchers use the facilities for practical work, experiments and engineering projects.

For engineering students, access to specialist equipment can help explain how classroom principles apply to real production systems. Research scholars can use laboratory facilities to examine materials and manufacturing methods, while faculty members can develop practical activities linked to their teaching and research.

The institute has not announced specific research projects, equipment costs or planned production targets for the new laboratory in the information released about the event.

Directed Energy Deposition is a form of metal additive manufacturing. In this process, a machine feeds material, often in powder or wire form, towards a point where a focused energy source melts it. A laser can supply that energy. The machine deposits the material along a planned path, building up a component or adding material to an existing part.

Unlike conventional manufacturing, which often removes material from a larger piece of metal, additive manufacturing builds up the required shape layer by layer. The approach can be useful when a component has a complex shape or when a worn or damaged metal part needs repair.

DED differs from other metal 3D printing methods in the way material is supplied and deposited. The process can add material to selected areas of a component, making it relevant to repair work and the production of parts with specific features.

The final quality depends on several factors, including the type of metal, laser power, material feed rate, movement speed and the way each deposited layer joins the material below it. Poorly chosen settings can lead to defects, uneven surfaces or weak bonding. Operators must therefore understand both the machine and the material being processed.

Safety is another key part of the work. Laser systems require suitable protective measures, and metal powders can create additional handling risks. Training in machine operation, setup and safety is needed before participants work with such equipment.