Laser tech makes headway with auto sector in India

The Indian automotive and allied industry has been playing a key role in promoting laser technology in industrial applications, primarily in the manufacturing sector. This was  revealed by many speakers in the third edition of Laser World of Photonics India 2014, the three-day show that began yesterday at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

In the opening session titled ‘Laser Basics and Applications, A K Nath, professor at Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur, said the increasing demand for quality and productivity in automotive and other sectors has increased the usage of laser technology in manufacturing process. He spoke in detail about the latest technologies being used in the automotive and other industrial sectors in India.

According to Mohammed Hidayath, National Sales Manager, TRUMPF India, said “The laser application in the automotive and allied industry has been keeping growing in recent years."

He said lasers help in decreasing manufacturing time, making the process multiple times faster than any conventional method. Though laser tech is comparatively new to the automotive sector, it is rapidly gaining acceptance and is also a major contributor in other industries like aerospace, oil and gas and food equipment.

The growth of laser application in the automotive sector has remained steady in the past two years, and is expected to grow at good pace in the coming years,” he added.

Maulik Patel, executive director of Sahajanand Laser Technology, said the Indian automotive industry has been expanding with more foreign OEMs setting up their shop in the country. Further the government tightening safety norms in the vehicle industry has seen OEMs use quality components in vehicles that in turn compels Tier I and Tier 2 component makers to adopt advance laser technologies in their manufacturing processes.

Patel said that earlier the foreign laser solution providers were dominating the industry but in recent years, Indian laser technology providers are also competing in all segments of laser-related industry in the country, he added.

Earlier Dr Niloufer Shroff Scientist G, head of department, EMCD Division, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, government of India inaugurated the expo, which was hosted by MMI India.  

Dr Bishnu Pal, professor, Mahindra Ecole Centrale Hyderabad, Dr  LM Kukreja, Head, Laser Materials Processing Division Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Dr S K Sarkar, President Indian Laser Association (ILA), also made their presentations on laser technology pertaining to various industries.

Around 100 domestic and international exibitors have showcased their products pertaining to various industries including automotive in the expo. China, Japan, Germany and Great Britain are among the countries with national pavilions.

There are various sessions in connection with laser industry are being conducted in the ongoing three day show. For the first time, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has joined hands with Laser World of Photonics India and is organising a national conference on ‘Smart Manufacturing’ to keep the automotive industry updated on the latest technologies and application of lasers for innovating manufacturing capabilities on the second day of the expo today.

Notable laser technology solutions providers those who exhibited their products in the expo are Sahajanand Laser Technology, Trumpf, Amada Miyachi India, Laserline, Mehta Cad Cam Systems and Magod Laser Machining. The live demos on laser technology usage also being conducted in the three-day show.