Russia’s Rostec State Corporation is all set to make Ka-62 helicopter engine parts using 3D printing technology.
The Additive Technologies Center of Rostec Corporation has put into operation a laser printer with the largest available build volume in Russia. The new equipment will make it possible to use additive technology to “grow” large-sized parts for the next-generation VK-1600V engine used on the Ka-62 helicopter.
New engine components will be created using Russian materials and the new 3D printer provides the potential for building even the most geometrically complex shapes.
“The printer will be used to create stator parts for the next-generation VK-1600V engine. The engine will be installed to modern multipurpose Ka-62 helicopters. In total, over 10% of the parts for this model are planned to be produced in 3D printers,” said Oleg Yevtushenko, executive director of Rostec.
Additive technologies will reduce the production time for individual components from 6 months to 3 weeks” Yevtushenko added.
In addition to shorter production times, additive manufacturing allows producing parts with lower weight without sacrificing functionality. In turn, this will allow to increase helicopter payloads and improve their other key characteristics.
JSC Additive Technologies Center (ATC) is the largest Russian company specializing in additive manufacturing and the only one in Russia providing a full production cycle. ATC was created on the basis of the holding companies under the Aviation Cluster of Rostec State Corporation in 2018 as a single integrator in the field of additive technologies.
The company consists of Russia’s largest stock of various additive manufacturing equipment (3D printers, measuring machines, machining and laboratory equipment) and a professional team of technical specialists with extensive experience in the application of additive technologies.
The company’s strategy provides a full cycle of services from structural re-engineering to full-cycle serial production.
