Today, almost all EV OEMs use Emag technologies: Gururaj Patil

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Today, almost all EV OEMs use Emag technologies: Gururaj Patil

Today, almost all EV OEMs use Emag technologies: Gururaj Patil

Industry News
Dec 13,24

We expect a significant shift in manufacturing to India due to the competitive manufacturing environment.

Today, almost all EV OEMs use Emag technologies: Gururaj Patil

We developed optimised solutions for the EV sector nearly two decades ago and now offer excellent solutions for chassis, transmission, and safety-related components within the EV ecosystem. In India, the growth of hybrid vehicles and EVs will continue in the near future, says Gururaj Patil, MD, Emag India Pvt Ltd in conversation with Rakesh Rao.

How is your company serving the manufacturing and machine tools sectors? (products, solutions, technologies, and services offered, manufacturing facilities, key end-user industries served, etc.)

Emag is a technology-forward company that provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions to the automotive, non-automotive, engineering, aerospace, textile, and agricultural industries. As a premium machine tool builder, Emag offers exceptional value for the investment customers make in our technology. We make our customers globally competitive and highly agile in adapting to industry disruptions. From being a supplier to OEMs, we cater to Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers alike. Our exceptional service, both through remote diagnostics and on-site support, brings us closer to our customers in India—often just a phone call away.

We have two manufacturing facilities: one in Zerbst, Germany, and the other in Jintan, China. The Zerbst facility focuses on highly customised solutions, while the Jintan facility specialises in modular standard machines and technologies critical to the growth and success of customers in Southeast Asia, including India. We cover almost the entire manufacturing process, from soft machining to gear teeth grinding. With the acquisition of Samputensili, Emag is now a global leader in gear manufacturing.

How do you analyse the status of the Indian machine tools industry at present? What opportunities are you looking to tap in this industry?

The Indian machine tool industry is currently experiencing significant disruption. Gone are the days when machine tools were designed to address a single machining application. Today, the focus is on combining as many operations as possible in a single machine to reduce setup times and costs. While the demand for integrated operations is growing rapidly, there is also a strong desire to keep machines compact, preferably with inbuilt automation. This is where many machine tool builders reach their limits, but Emag excels.

What is driving the demand for your products, solutions, and services?

The demand for Emag machine tools and technologies is driven by the need to produce precision components in high volumes with tight tolerances, while combining multiple operations in a single setup and eliminating operator intervention.

Some of the unique features of our machine tools, such as the Mineralit bed, glass scales, temperature compensation, plug-and-play components, and easy accessibility for maintenance and troubleshooting, distinguish us from other machine tool manufacturers.

How do you intend to tap into the automotive and auto component industries—the major users of machine tools? Also, what are the growth prospects in these industries with the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs)?

Emag was one of the first companies to provide manufacturing solutions for EVs worldwide. Today, almost all EV OEMs use Emag technologies to enhance their manufacturing competitiveness. We developed optimised solutions for the EV sector nearly two decades ago and now offer excellent solutions for chassis, transmission, and safety-related components within the EV ecosystem.

In India, the growth of hybrid vehicles and EVs will continue in the near future. While the pure EV segment may not grow as quickly as hybrids, the infrastructure boost for charging stations in non-metro cities will accelerate the adoption of both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

AI, digitalisation/automation, and sustainability are the buzzwords today across industries. How are you planning to tap into these trends? What other trends are visible in the machine tool and accessories industry?

At Emag, we leverage Industry 4.0 to optimise machine tool data, improving Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) and identifying potential breakdowns in advance. All our machines are equipped with remote diagnostics, enabling our service engineers to address issues remotely through high-speed internet, often without the need for on-site visits.

We produce our machine bases and columns from Mineralit, a material that eliminates the need for traditional cast iron. This is a significant step toward sustainability. Mineralit also offers excellent dampening properties, extending tool life and ensuring stability throughout the life cycle of the Emag machine.

Additionally, all our manufacturing facilities prioritise the optimal use of natural resources, minimising air, water, and energy consumption.

What are your plans for IMTEX 2025?

At IMTEX 2025, we will showcase two machines from Emag, alongside a range of components and cut sections of parts we have successfully delivered.

The modular concept of the VL 4 allows it to adapt perfectly to various applications, with an extremely compact design and powerful drives. It offers flexible implementation of multiple manufacturing technologies for both soft and hard machining. The machine base made from MINERALIT® polymer concrete ensures low-vibration machining and long tool life, as well as high machining quality. The VL 4 features a 12-post tool turret with short indexing times and excellent stability, and an optional measuring station for efficient, time-saving measurements during loading and unloading.

Our new launch, the WPG7, is designed specifically for the Asia-Pacific region, offering the smallest footprint without compromising on accuracy or production volumes. Key features include:

• High-speed grinding wheel drive (up to 50 m/s)

• Grinding wheel diameter up to 500 x 80 mm

• CBN or corundum wheels

• Fanuc control

• Cooling system with water or oil

• Footprint of only 1,800 x 2,400 mm

• Optional in-process measurement control, passive longitudinal positioning, and automatic balancing system

What are your growth plans for the company in the coming years?

We see enormous growth potential in India, driven by the need for precise part production at large volumes, powered by automation. We will continue to support customers in India with the right solutions for success in both domestic and export markets, regardless of the industry.

We expect a significant shift in manufacturing to India due to the competitive manufacturing environment. The demand for high-end solutions like Emag's will only increase exponentially. At Emag India, we are preparing for this growth by expanding both our workforce and the resources needed to support this expansion.