ISRO successfully conducts hot testing of liquid rocket engine – PS4 engine (fourth stage of PSLV) – manufactured through Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology.

• It was developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO. 
• It resulted in saving of raw material usage and production time.

AM / 3D Printing 

• It is defined as the technology that constructs a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model by adding material layer by layer.
• It is the opposite of subtractive (traditional) manufacturing, in which an object is created by cutting away at a solid block of material.
• AM materials include thermoplastics, metal and metal alloys, ceramics, and biomaterials such as bio-inks. 

Key Applications of AM technology 

• Healthcare – Custom implants, tumour models, surgical instruments, etc.  
• Aerospace and defence – Components like airframes, landing gears, drones, etc.
• Electronics – Wearable devices, robots, RFID devices, etc.
• Others – Construction, consumer goods including clothing, furniture, automotive, etc. 

Advantages of AM technology

Lower inventory, reduced time, creating complex and custom designs, little wastage, creating objects with functionally graded materials, etc.

Challenges

• Expensive: Initial investment in equipment is substantial.
• Technical Challenges: Slow production speed, quality concerns, and lack of international standards.
• Other Challenges: Workforce shortage, lack of material availability, design integration, etc.