Feb 15, 2017 | By Tess

Indian manufacturing company Intech DMLS, which specializes in metal 3D printing solutions, has announced it is developing India’s first locally made jet engine series. The jet engines will be destined for small aircraft such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Remote Controlled Aircraft.

The Bengaluru-based company has unveiled the jet engine series, called MJE-20, through its R&D subsidiary Poeir Jets Private Limited. With a thrust of 20 kgf, the MJE 20 engine not only marks India’s first indigenously manufactured jet engine, but also the first one to be made in Asia. The project will place India amongst an elite group of countries that includes the United States, Israel, and Europe (as a single entity), which have developed and manufactured indigenous jet engines.

Currently, the 2.16 kg gas-turbine MJE-20 engine is being tested at Intech DMLS’ Bangalore facility, where its designers are confident it will achieve certification. As Intech founder and managing director Sridhar Balaram noted, “We fired the engine for the first time on February 8, 2017, and it was a success. Some other tests are going on, and we are confident that it will be ready to be presented for certification in 18-24 weeks.”

So, if all goes well over the next several weeks, India could soon be manufacturing its very own jet engine series. Additionally, if all goes well with the MJE-20, there is a high chance Intech’s engineers will continue to develop bigger engines. “We have the MJE-40 and the MJE-100, which will be able to power bigger UAVs,” commented Balaram.

At the moment, Intech DMLS is also developing the SJE-350 jet engine, which weighs 48.36 kg and has a thrust of 350 kfg. The aim for the SJE-350 is use in bigger aircraft, though specialists have noted that a higher thrust power would be necessary for such aircraft as fighter jets, for instance.

Founded in 2012, Intech DMLS has become a leader of metal 3D printing in India, and has additively manufactured parts for the space and aerospace industry. One of the company’s greatest 3D printing achievements has been its Combustion Chamber, which it developed for a client’s 25 KN engine. Using advanced design and 3D printing technology, Intech DMLS was able to cut down the overall development time for the part from 18-24 months to 3-4 months.

Intech DMLS is showcasing its technologies and innovative engine designs at Aero India 2017, Asia’s premier air show, hosted in Bangaluru until February 18.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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