Jul 13, 2016 | By Benedict
The Ural Federal University, based in Yekaterinburg, Russia, has demonstrated a robotic 3D printing machine at Innoprom 2016, a trade show taking place in Yekaterinburg. The university has also signed two agreements to develop additive manufacturing technology with Chinese partners.
With Innoprom 2016 in full swing, several Russian businesses and developers have now had a chance to showcase their innovative additive manufacturing technologies to an enthusiastic public. And while we’ve already taken a virtual peek into the trade show to check out a 3D printed scouting drone and a metal additive manufacturing system, our attentions are now being turned to an unusual machine developed by engineers at the Ural Federal University.
The 3D Printing robot, which was today inspected by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, consists of a 3D printer print head affixed to the end of a large robotic arm, enabling the operator to create 3D printed objects on a much larger scale than would be possible with a typical enclosed printer. “The printing volume field is increased to the workspace of the robot,” one of the engineers explained. “Its print head can also be equipped with nozzles of different diameters.”
Although the movement of the large robotic arm adds several extra moving parts and joints to the 3D printing machine, the Ural researchers have programmed the 3D printing robot to automatically wield the arm in accordance with the specifications of the 3D printed object: "The system automatically generates the robot’s code, which makes it easy to use and able to print even the most complex shapes,” they explained.
In other 3D printing news from the Ural Federal University, the institution today announced that it would develop additive manufacturing technologies with two Chinese partners: the University of Heilongjiang and Xinda, a plastics specialist, in order to increase its additive manufacturing expertise and open businesses opportunities in the Far East, such as the production of a planned 3D printed car. Though announced simultaneously, the two deals are not formally connected.
Photo: Edward Nikulnikov
The Ural Federal University will work with the University of Heilongjiang to establish a joint Russian-Chinese 3D printing laboratory, working with both metal and polymers and developing a range of additive manufacturing machines. The two universities will research 3D printing techniques for materials including aluminum, steel, refractory alloys, titanium, bronze, polyamide, polystyrene, metal, ceramic, composites, and plastics.
In its partnership with Xinda, the Ural Federal University will involve cooperation over science and technology, innovations, and educational projects. The two parties have agreed to organize an exchange of experts in the field of additive manufacturing—these may include teachers and scholars, doctoral students, undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.
“We are interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Chinese partners,” said Victor A. Koksharov, Rector of the Ural Federal University. “This will allow us to carry out studies of the properties of polymeric materials and metal powders to be used in the manufacture of products on 3D printers we have at the Ural Federal University. Our university has developed the first 3D printed car in Russia, and together with our partners we are developing a project to organize its serial production. This will enable the University to quickly and efficiently develop the additive manufacturing industry in Russia.”
Posted in 3D Printer
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