Rusal’s Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) technology, designed to minimize material use, led to the creation of the first aluminum powder materials for 3D printing. This breakthrough makes it possible to print large-scale parts and to repair aging components, a development disclosed by the company’s press service.
Dust manufacturing is carried out by Metakom LLC in Volgograd and in the town of Shelekhov in Irkutsk region, coordinating with Rusala’s dust operations to build a cohesive powder supply for additive manufacturing.
Nikolai Melnikov, Metakom’s general manager, noted that the dust products have undergone customer testing with favorable results. He pointed out that DMD technology offers several advantages for the Russian industry that uses laser fusion of dust on the substrate, especially when compared with the standard LB PBD method.
“DMD uses less dust, enables printing of large parts, supports not only the release of new components but also the repair of existing ones. The development of this technology opens fresh opportunities for Russia’s high-tech sectors and provides additional momentum for expanding production,” he stated.
The LB PBD technology imposes limits on the size of parts that can be produced on typical printer platforms, with many Russian machines operating on beds up to 1000 centimeters or smaller. In contrast, DMD relies on a robotic hand that carries the distributor and laser in three dimensions, pushing the potential printed part size into multi-meter territory.
Industry observers note broad interest across production, engineering, energy, and related fields in adopting DMD powder-based printing, signaling a shift toward more autonomous and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Institutions in Russia have begun examining the integration of this technology into practical tooling and mass production workflows.
According to industry officials, the development of dust production for DMD is particularly important. In St. Petersburg, universities have announced progress in creating and developing 3D printers designed to support this technology, underscoring the rapid pace of research and practical application across Russian higher education and industry.
“This is a striking example of how improvements in the metallurgical and mechanical engineering spheres empower the broader Russian industry to reach new levels. The parallel advancement of related technologies helps reduce reliance on imports and strengthens technological sovereignty,” an industry voice remarked.