Moscow, 1 April 2020 – Rusatom-Additive Technologies (RusAT, a subsidiary of ROSATOMs fuel company TVEL) has produced prototypes and is prepared to start 3D printing valves for Venturi oxygen masks – an important component of ventilators.
The need for these valves has increased substantially due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. RusAT’s production facilities have the capacity to produce about 300 valves per week using a biocompatible polymer which does not require additional processing.
Venturi valves are used in conjunction with aerosol masks to provide oxygen at low flow rates. The valves are designed for short-term use, requiring replacement every few hours. 3D printing has emerged as a viable solution to help many countries solve the severe valve deficit that has arisen during this pandemic.
ROSATOM CEO Alexey Likhachev said: «The enterprises of Russia’s nuclear industry are mobilising their resources to combat the coronavirus pandemic. All Rosatom companies specialising in medical research or the production of medical equipment are harvesting the necessary manufacturing capacities and intellectual capital to quickly reorient themselves to making supplies that doctors require to fight the coronavirus. We have informed Russia’s Health Ministry, Emergency Situations Ministry, and Defence Ministry, as well as the country’s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, of our ability to produce Venturi valves. If necessary, we will start producing the valves in the near future».
RusAT CEO Mikhail Turundaev emphasized: “Our company, as ROSATOM additive manufacturing industry integrator, has studied the possibility of 3D printing valves for ventilators, has made prototypes, and is ready to start production for delivery to medical institutions. In addition to valves, 3D printing can be used to produce masks, respirators, and other medical devices.
Notes to the editor:
RusAT LLC (part of TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM) is a specialized company – an integrator of the nuclear industry in additive manufacturing (AM). The company’s activities are focused on four key areas: 3D printers and their components production; creation of materials and metal powders for AM; development of software suite for additive manufacturing; outsourcing 3D printing services for clients and additive manufacturing introduction into production (including the organization of AM production centers).
TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. www.tvel.ru
