Staying updated with the latest technologies that impact customer’s business

August 2, 2021 2:22 pm

A combination of AM and Subtractive Machining will be the way to go for high precision parts.

What kind of metal Joining technologies are gaining momentum in the industry?

Robotic welding and Metal 3D printing, in my opinion, are the fastest moving technologies in today’s manufacturing world. The world of metal adhesives is also making significant progress, but the former two are being applied across industry domains. For non-ferrous metals, die-casting technology has been an age-long mature process that has only increased in precision and efficiency. For smaller parts, Metal Injection Moulding is also a very mature technology in current times.

Except for die-casting, nearly all of the rest have had a high-cost barrier until recent times. Due to the improvements in speed, material and application, these technologies are slowly making in-roads to mainstream production manufacturing. India is largely dependent on imports for aircraft maintenance components and finer parts.

In what manufacturing air-parts segments, the industry plans to go to Atmanirbhar as lockdown is gradually opening up?

Much of the Indian Aerospace component manufacturers produce structural parts, such as Airframes, Butt straps, Doors, Seating frame, Trusses, etc., and these are largely a result of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme and the defence offset policies. There are also some well-known companies that are involved in high precision components like Blade, Blisks and Impellers, Fuel Injector nozzles and fuel systems, however, there is a lot of scope in widening the berth in this domain.

There is also the aviation (electronics) and wiring (harnessing) side of manufacturing, but it involves a different set of manufacturing practices.

On the domestic manufacturing growth in the Aero manufacturing sector, just recently a number of Aerospace majors were in the process of setting up manufacturing in the country. It will still take another 6-12 months before real world production begins in these new entrants.

What indigenous plans are in process to increase the demand for local manufacturing of parts and components for the aerospace industry?

The aerospace manufacturing parks being setup across multiple locations such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Sriperumbudur, Vellore, Belgaum etc are forming a new aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that provides access to cutting edge technology and technical know-hows to push the boundaries of aero part manufacturing. On the industry side, we along with our colleagues in the high precision machine tools area, are educating manufacturing companies to step forward into precision manufacturing, through industry focused seminars and webinars. With steady increase in air traffic over the years, MRO activities are also on the rise and due to the airlines business being fiercely competitive, a local MRO ecosystem will help the domestic airlines reduce their maintenance costs in the long run. All of the above, are actively incentivising the growth in Aerospace manufacturing.

How is the role of CAD and CAM instrumental for machine tools market growth?

An efficient CAD/CAM system is the cornerstone of manufacturing growth. High precision parts are increasingly becoming more and more challenging and complex. While machine tools, controllers and cutting tools technology are rapidly evolving, CAD/CAM systems must be able to support latest developments across these different verticals and combine them in a harmonious way to deliver top class results.

Let’s take the example of multi-tasking CNC machines. It is due to the ability of efficient CAM systems, that multiple and parallel operations take place seamlessly and accurately, while managing to avoid collisions. The ability of CAM systems to simplify even the most complex set of operations into discreet steps – all in a user-friendly interface is what sets a rock solid and efficient CAM system aside from many others.

In order for machine tool manufacturers to innovate beyond what is currently available, they always collaborate with CAD/CAM companies and cutting tool manufacturers. This brings about a unified development of new technology that users can apply sooner, than later.

Additive manufacturing is the rising segment for its advantages. Where do you see your role in your scene?

Additive manufacturing is growing each year, and we have been geared right from the inception to support AM layering and support structures. Mastercam has always had an API that has allowed developers and bespoke customisation professionals create any functionality atop our product. Right from supporting DSS, Industry 4.0 protocols, Tool Database Management, up to Additive Manufacturing routines are possible due to this customisation functionality within Mastercam. We work with multiple partners across the globe to develop more and more functionality as technology evolves across various connected domains.

Additive manufacturing of metal parts is an emerging trend that gives aerospace manufacturers the freedom to produce parts on-demand, which makes the supply chain more efficient. What scope do you see for it in the future?

Metal AM is certainly a growing market. Especially, if one wants to manufacture conformal parts & structures, there is no other solution like AM. What remains to be seen is how economical and efficient the technology will be for mass manufacturing. For niche parts and certainly for small batch production runs, Metal AM is a simpler, cleaner and acceptable solution. Speed, high accuracy, surface finish, thermal effects and cost are areas of improvement for this technology. As for the future, I strongly feel that AM will work very well for non-precision parts, while a combination of AM and Subtractive Machining will be the way to go for high precision parts.

Do you expect increasing growth of the cutting tools market as of now though industry was impacted during pandemic times?

The cutting tools market, will certainly see an increased growth when the market opens up completely.

Machine tools sales are at an all-time high, and our Industries have adopted the mantra of Make in India. These initiatives are likely to drive up manufacturing to unprecedented levels in the coming decades. Further, pent up demand will push automotive sales higher when people get back to pre-covid normal. This will also push up sales for cutting tools in the near future.

With new and innovative concepts happening and taking place in the component market, in what ways do you intend to meet arising demands to be competitive and alive in the market?

Mastercam is the world’s most widely installed CAM software for 26 years in a row. Our philosophy has been simple from the very beginning. We solve our customers manufacturing challenges, by offering innovative and unique solutions & services. This comes about by staying updated with the latest technologies that impact our customer’s business. Innovations in machine tools, controllers, cutting tools, manufacturing processes are some of the things our product team keeps a track on, sometimes even before they hit the markets. This way, we are almost always at the forefront of technology in our domain. Also, our business is CAM and manufacturing. Being a zero-debt company, we can focus all our energies and investment, to listen to our customers’ voice and introduce functionality that they need.