News

Based on certain differences between oxyfuel and plasma, companies may be able to instantly decide on which cutting system to use based on their critical business needs. But for specific factors such as ease-of-use, cut quality, cost, this article explores the comparisons that companies should consider before deciding whether oxyfuel or plasma is the best way forward.

Market Interview

Market Interview |

Multitasking will have a new meaning”

says Takashi Yamazaki, Senior Managing Director, Sales and Marketing, Yamazaki Mazak Corporation, as he presents his views on the current situation in Japan, the new technology centre in Pune, and next innovations from Mazak. Excerpts from his interview with Shekhar Jitkar…

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy |

Diversifying energy sources effectively

With heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports, India is becoming vulnerable to price volatility. With the increasing demand for hydrocarbon resources and the limited global growth in their supply, an increase in the price of conventional fuels is inevitable. This makes it imperative for India to diversify its energy sources.

Renewable Energy |

Unleashing innovation

Demographic change, resource scarcity and an increasing focus on environmental protection, place enormous pressures on companies engaged in the energy and utilities industry. In order to explore, find and leverage this planet’s hydrocarbon, air, wind, geothermal, ocean and solar resources, innovation like never been attempted before is required on a scale.

Roundtable

Roundtable |

Small company’s big breakthroughs

Most entrepreneurs, active or potential, love to read about real life success stories of people who turned an idea into a business and grew it into a million-dollar enterprise. Taking cognisance of this fact, the round table showcases today’s leaders who started off with just a vision and went on to become bigwigs of the Indian machine tool industry. Presenting an offbeat inspiring read...

Welding & Assembly

Welding & Assembly |

Optimum selection of welding equipment

It is very important to select the right welding process and equipment for a fabrication job. The selected welding process and equipment influence the overall welding cost of a fabricated structure leading to minimising quality problems and enhancing efficiency.

Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management |

Agile and green supply chain

As manufacturing continues to progressively recover from the recent recession, an approach towards less wasteful production to get enhanced cost benefits is on radar. Thus, the need for having a speedy and transparent information backbone by adopting ERP based supply chain management (SCM) practices is strongly felt.

Management Strategies

Management Strategies |

Changing role of the operator

As businesses strive to gain a competitive advantage from their operations, the way operators perform their work has evolved. Shifting from being purely functional to highly analytical, operators have become an increasingly critical part of today’s business processes—significantly changing the way businesses operate and adding more value than ever before.

Machining

Machining |

Combining right for efficient machining

With combined turning-grinding-honing machines it is possible to process rotational symmetrical workpieces from blank to finished component on one machine in a single clamping. Seeing, the numerous benefits the combination offers, The Dortmund Institute of Machining Technology (ISF) examined innovative concepts for combined machining and internal cylindrical peel grinding.

Coverstory

Coverstory |

Streamlining processes through mobility

Lean principles are well-recognised for their ability to strip wastes out of manufacturing procedures, improving throughput and productivity while reducing costs. The article identifies the seven wastes of quality, how mobility can eradicate these wastes from typical quality processes, and the benefits manufacturers can expect to achieve from `leaning’ of quality processes both inside and beyond the quality function.

Company Profile

Company Profile |

Harnessing the glocalisation pendulum

It is said the habit of winners is do all that is expected and a little more. Showing such an indelible approach is Demag Cranes & Components (I) Pvt Ltd at its Chakan facility in Pune. Implementing a uniform global process in every local market, it ensures that it does what it takes to get to that ‘little more’, which takes them a step further compared to the rest…

Automation & Control

Automation & Control |

Gen X of remote device management

With a rise in the dependence of the agricultural sector, along with a push for increased efficiency in other markets, industrial environments are finding new and innovative ways to streamline their operations. A significant amount of interest has gone into machine-to-machine (M2M) networking, and the potential for automation that comes along with it.

Cutting Tools

Cutting Tools |

Exploring solid carbide end mill systems

Contrary to 25 years ago, when solid carbide tools were rather special tools and much more restricted in terms of application and machining performance, end mills today are well established and often very specialised. These tool solutions do, when selected and applied correctly, provide a vital contribution to component accuracy and quality.

Event

Event |

A measured commitment

Recognising the need for adoption of green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing fraternity, Frost & Sullivan organised a day long summit on green manufacturing excellence at the Orchid, Mumbai, on April 29, 2011. The event was followed by the distribution of Green Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2011, at the same venue.

Interview

Interview |

Understanding additive manufacturing

Andrzej Grzesiak, Head, the Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology & Automation (IPA), gives insights into additive manufacturing and whether it will put milling machine out of work. Excerpts from his interview…

Interview |

Sustainable investment - key to growth

Naushad Forbes, Director, Forbes Marshall & Chairman, CII Innovation Council, gives his take on the Indian manufacturing growth story, provides insights on improving energy conservation and fostering innovation in our country, in a tete-a-tete with Shekhar Jitkar and Indira Rao. Excerpts…

High-speed Machining

High-speed Machining |

Turning’ the face of aero manufacturing

There are certain vital links that lead to efficient manufacturing of aerospace components. Ticking the boxes for each of these links as part of a machining strategy, to include the best standard solutions for standard component features, is the surest way to competitiveness in manufacturing aero engine components.

High-speed Machining |

Uncover peak performance in HSM

To reap the benefits of today’s investments in high-speed machine (HSM) tools, NC programmers need to understand the peak performance limits of their system. We take a look at a practical no-cost procedure, based on the theory of chatter, to identify the maximum rate of material removal for safe and stable machining conditions.

Aerospace Manufacturing

Aerospace Manufacturing |

Laser trackers to shrink glitches

More than any other device, airplanes epitomise the concept that “the devil is in the details,” because in small errors lies the potential for great mischief such as increased drag and decreased range. Over the years, laser trackers have surpassed theodolites in the task of perfecting the aircraft, with more accuracy and efficiency.