Iranian 3D Printers to Be Exported to World Markets

An official with Iran’s Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, Dr Mahmoud Shokrieh, says Iran has drawn up a 10-year plan to develop the 3D printing technology in the country and has set up a roadmap to this end.

Speaking on the sidelines of an exhibition on 3D printing industry titled “Iran 3D Print Show 2017”, Shokrieh said currently 30 domestic companies are involved in the field of producing 3D printers in Iran, according to Farsi report by the Khorasan newspaper.

He added the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology offers support to expand the market for these companies’ activities.

“The African and Southeast Asian markets are, currently, our main targets for exporting the products equipped with the technology.”

The national document for developing 3D printing technology was also unveiled on the sidelines of the expo. According to the 10-year document, $760 million has been set as the target and outlook for selling products with 3D printing technology by 2025.

According to a report by Mehr, 17 Iranian firms are displaying 3D printing technologies in this exhibition. From the various 3D printing techniques, Iranian firms are only using two, DLP and FDM.

In DLP projectors, the image is created by microscopically small mirrors laid out in a matrix on a semiconductor chip, known as a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). These mirrors are so small that DMD pixel pitch may be 5.4 micrometres or less. The pixel pitch makes this method ideal for academic work.

On the other hand, fused deposition modelling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology commonly used for modelling, prototyping, and production applications.

The printers will be tested by officials with the vice president’s office and academia. The best printer will be introduced on the last day of the event.