The Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management (IITRAM), Ahmedabad, organized a Hands-on Training Program on Laser-Based Directed Energy Deposition (DED) for Metal Additive Manufacturing under the National Seminar Programme on “Advanced Technologies for Societal and Strategic Applications”, as part of Vikas Saptah–2026, with the support of the Government of Gujarat and Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG).
The National Seminar Programme is being organized from 1–10 October 2026 at IITRAM.A major highlight of the programme was the inauguration of the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Laboratory at IITRAM by Prof. P. K. Jain, Director General, IITRAM in the presence of Shri Ashwin S. Patel, President, Ahmedabad Engineering Manufacturers’ Association (AEMA); Shri Jitendra Panchal, Member, AEMA; Prof MK Barua, Director, IITRAM; Dr. Ajit Kumar Parwani, Dean (R&D), IITRAM; and Dr. Pramod Bhingole, Dean (OAA), IITRAM.The newly inaugurated Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Laboratory is intended to strengthen IITRAM’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing and materials research and provide students, research scholars and faculty members with practical exposure to emerging manufacturing technologies.
The hands-on training programme focused on Metal Additive Manufacturing and Laser-Based Directed Energy Deposition (DED). The programme was coordinated by Dr. Navneet Khanna, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, IITRAM, and Dr. Ajit Kumar Parwani, Dean (R&D), IITRAM and Dr. Pramod Bhingole, Dean (OAA), IITRAM. The technical sessions covered an introduction to metal additive manufacturing, fundamentals of laser-based DED, DED metal 3D printer system architecture, materials and process parameters, and a live demonstration and hands-on training covering machine setup and safety, digital workflow and toolpath generation.
The event provided participants with an opportunity to understand the principles, system architecture, materials, process parameters and practical aspects of laser-based DED technology, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial applications.The programme is part of IITRAM’s broader initiative to promote technology awareness, skill development, interdisciplinary research, innovation and industry–academia collaboration.
The programme aims to strengthen the linkage between theoretical knowledge and practical engineering applications through laboratory demonstrations, technology exhibitions and hands-on technical training, in alignment with the objectives of Vikas Saptah–2026.