Moscow will make 3D printers out of domestically produced components

One of the Moscow companies will launch its own 3D printer production. Their components will be Russian-made to the greatest extent possible. The devices are intended for printing household appliances and car components, fittings and many other things. According to Vladislav Ovchinsky, Head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy, that will serve to reduce the cost of final products.

“Modern 3D printers are able to handle various metals, ceramics, sand and plastic. That’s why additive technologies now start seeing broad use in mechanical engineering, industrial production, design, healthcare and other fields. Right now, many companies in Moscow face shortages in foreign-supplied components. However, 3D technologies are able to help them resolve import substitution issues. For example, a company in Moscow started developing its own 3D printer production, and in the next two to three years will arrange it so that all the components for it are made in Russia. That will make us completely independent from imports,” he said.

Mr. Ovchinsky added that a new course in Additive Technologies was launched by Moscow Technical School in March. There, a company can train their employees in order to implement production innovations. The city, in turn, subsidizes their training.

The production company representatives stated that they have always monitored additive technologies’ development and tried to make them more popular.

“If we look at the trends reflecting the demand for our services, it grew considerably in the last five years. It has even accelerated during the pandemic. We print 1,500 orders a year on average, from gearwheels to eight meters’ high art object – a working fountain, and that’s not the limit,” the company told us.

Due to the sanctions pressure, Moscow adopted a whole list of industry support measures. The government will provide additional RUB 10 billion to the Moscow Fund for Industry and Entrepreneurship Support. Companies can use the subsidies to partially offset their interest payments on loans taken out for working capital financing, equipment purchases, investment program implementation and payroll costs.