AM is enabler for digital manufacturing which has capability in producing products directly from design data by adding layers of material to obtain the final shape with minimal waste, supporting Industry 4.0. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated a Centre of Excellence on Additive Manufacturing at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh which will support Medical Device Sector. The vision of the centre is to make COE at AMTZ a hub (common facility for local AM industry which will offset disabilities for competing with global peers) for medical device innovation in India by nurturing various medical device start-ups through Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. Through this centre sustainable long-term ecosystem will be provided to start-ups and industries which will enable medical device innovation in India; build skill-sets in the AM industry, in particular AM in the medical industry to achieve competitive advantages in the global market; promote creation of Indian IPR & facilitate IPR filing activity and offer industry, academia, global linkages to provide market access to the incubated products.
The CoE has achieved several milestones within one year of its establishment: both in skill development and technology development. Over 400 manpower were trained in 3D printing, Medical Device Design, Prototyping and Testing in CoE AM – MDS. CoE is successful in establishing production of materials and products which earlier were under import dependency. One of the key product is UHMWPE, a novel orthoplastic engineered for its weight-bearing properties. This has been the major liner component for orthopaedic implants in hip and knee arthroplasty. The CoE also created capacities to deliver the highest quality small metal components with outstanding levels of chemistry control, strength, and density across a wide range of alloys.
