India is witnessing a robust growth in the machine tool industry. The production has gone up by 23 per cent, whereas consumptions has seen a rise by 12 per cent. This apart, India is also experiencing demand from the global market. Indian companies manufacturing machining centres on large scale are doing a great job and are growing rapidly. This shows that the buyers are not biased towards importing, if they get locally made machines. Nishant Shah, Director, Imaginarium Rapid Pvt Ltd believes, India will be in the top 10 within two years of being in production.

 

How is the machine tools industry performing currently?

India’s machine tool industry is growing rapidly. The production has increased by 23 per cent as compared to last year and consumption has increased by 12 per cent. This shows that India is also catering to a huge demand from around the globe. Currently, India is rated as 12th in production and eighth in consumption. We foresee India in the top 10 within two years of being in production. The domestic demand is increasing tremendously and we can already see expansions in factories to cater to this demand.

 

Are you participating at IMTOS 2019?

We will not be exhibiting there this year as it would be overlapping with another event where we have committed already. But we wish all the exhibitors and the organising team best of luck for the show.

 

Even though there has been substantial progress in the manufacture of machining centres, a large percentage of the higher technology machines is still imported. How can this situation be improved?

Yes, still a lot of machines are imported and the reason is quality of the machines and offering. Additionally, there are hardly a handful of Indian companies manufacturing machining centres on large scale. They are doing a great job and are growing rapidly. This shows that the buyers are not biased towards importing, if they get locally made machines. I feel there has to be a lot of support from the government to give incentives to entrepreneurs to set up mega plants and manufacture machines. The offering range of machine manufactured locally combined with service has to take a big leap.

 

What are some of the emerging technologies in the machine/cutting tools sector?

We think there are a lot of companies doing some fantastic research and coming out with innovative cutting tools. As we serve more than 15 different industries, we work with thousands of different products, designs, materials and finishes. Hence, many times we use custom tools for certain jobs. We think the fact that you can have your own tools designed specifically for a job at such fast speeds is amazing. We are using throughput coolant tools for all our metal cutting, which has increased our tolerances and reduced machining times as well.

 

In this context, how relevant is 3D printing when it comes to manufacturing machine tools?

3D printing cannot be ignored. It adds a lot of value in terms of speed, customisation and freedom to design. Although there haven’t been any case studies, we are aware of where cutting tools are being 3D printed. It is just a matter of time, with newer materials being researched and introduced daily. But a lot of manufacturers of machines, where the volumes are not high, have resorted to use 3D printing, for a lot of parts of the machines and spare parts rather than investing heavily on moulds, and having longer lead times.

 

Finally, how can the government help in improving the machine/cutting tools industry?

There are already a lot of drives by the central government for certain categories. Also, state governments are having their own incentives. They need to have a well informed and easily adoptable model for businesses to start manufacturing machines or cutting tools in India. Cutting tools manufacturing is still substantial; we need to see more players in the machine manufacturing space.