Wipro3D, the additive manufacturing arm of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, has launched an experience centre for metal 3D printing here. The solutions developed in the centre will be taken to markets across the world.

Launched by the company’s billionaire Chairman Azim Premji, the 12,000 sq ft centre has capabilities such as post-processing, research, characterisation and validation for metal additive manufacturing. 3D printing is a process through which materials are added or solidified to create a 3D object.

Pratik Kumar, CEO, Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, said that based on the confidence developed from its India operations, there are plans to take Wipro3D global.

Established in 2012, Wipro3D has developed a range of end-use applications, and offers additive manufacturing solutions, products and services to industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial, healthcare, heavy engineering and oil & gas.

For instance, it works with medical device or tools designers and manufacturers, as well as surgeons, to identify the need for special surgical tools and improve the functionality of the component. Surgical devices, neonatal support systems, blood transfusion systems and components of imaging equipment are some examples where additive manufacturing can play a key role.

Similarly, in aerospace, Wipro Infrastructure has a partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries. In 2016, it acquired HR Givon, an Israel-headquartered manufacturer of metallic parts and assemblies for the aerospace industry, which has three manufacturing plants — two in Israel and one in the US.

With its additive engineering expertise, Wipro is able to offer design inputs working with customer’s domain experts that can result in significant improvement in functional effectiveness and ease of use, company executives said. “We see 3D printing or additive manufacturing as a critical component in the digital manufacturing and future proofing strategy of any enterprise,” said Ajay Parikh, Business Head, Wipro3D.

Manufacturing companies are increasingly starting to adopt 3D printing, as they see cost as well as innovation benefits. According to Ritesh Gandotra, Director, Global Document Outsourcing, Xerox India, and Balaji Rajagopalan, Executive Director - Technology, Channels & International Distributor Operations, Xerox India, the rise of 3D printing is likely to lead to reinvention of many old products, as well as the introduction of extraordinary new innovations.

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