New 3D Printer To Benefit Russia’s Nuclear Industry

In Russia, a groundbreaking 3D printer has been introduced, promising to revolutionize the country’s nuclear industry with additive manufacturing. Rosatom – Additive Technologies (RusAT), a subsidiary of Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL and part of the state nuclear corporation Rosatom, unveiled the largest 3D printer of its kind in the country. With the capability to print large-sized parts for nuclear reactors, this innovative technology is expected to significantly reduce costs and manufacturing time.

The 3D printer, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Laser and Welding at St Petersburg Marine Technical University, boasts impressive features. It has a load capacity of eight tonnes and is equipped with two industrial six-axis robots. This cutting-edge machine can manufacture products with a diameter of up to 2.2 meters and a height of 1 meter. Using lasers and powder in the direct metal deposition (DMD) system, the printer employs a layer-by-layer formation process, offering flexibility to produce composite products from various metal powders with different properties.

RusAT’s DMD 3D printer (Photo credits: RusAT)

While the printer can be applied across various industries, its initial success lies in its ability to manufacture a 1-meter-high fragment of the baffle for the internal device of a nuclear power reactor. Olga Ospennikova, director of the Association for the Development of Additive Technologies, recognizes the profound impact of additive technologies, stating “Additive technologies are one of the drivers that determine the shape of a new generation of production … this is a breakthrough technology that opens up the possibility for a wide application of additive technologies in the nuclear industry, in particular, it will allow printing large-sized parts of nuclear reactors.”