Gujarat-based Sahajanand Laser Technology Limited is not only a specialist in the domain of laser technology but offers a wide range of engineering solutions too.

Sahajanand Laser Technology Limited (SLTL) is an Indian company that has pioneered a global laser revolution. The company has become synonymous with innovative laser technology that provides its competence to such sectors as cutting, marking, welding, micro machining, solar cell scribing/cutting, diamond processing and scanning. Excerpts from an interview with Managing Director Dr Arvind Patel…

Could you recount the company’s journey and achievements so far?

SLTL is a global leader in computer numeric controlled (CNC) laser services, a highly advanced service. With the establishment of our state-of-the-art factory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, SLTL introduced laser technology for the diamond industry first time in India way back in 1989. Since then, we have been actively contributing to the industrial development of India. SLTL’s strength is its ingenious research and development department, through which the company has marked its presence as the world’s largest manufacturer of CNC laser systems for the diamond industry. The inception of our service diversification took place in 1995 and that has enabled us to explore various sectors across a wide spectrum.

We now have a strong presence in the diamond industry of India along with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Russia, China, Europe, USA, Canada and Latin America. Apart from our mainstream business, we have extended our knowledge to scientific research institutes regardless of location and ownership. Highly experienced research scholars, laser specialists, engineers with specialization in the fields of software, electrical and mechanical equipment, and instrumentation are on the board of our R&D team.

How would you define the evolving laser technology sector in India?

The government envisions 12-14 per cent annual growth in the manufacturing sector. And to ensure sustainability, the government’s spotlight will be on advancement in production capabilities. This will go hand-in-hand with technological development. That’s what will create favourable conditions for metal forming industries. The government has announced five industrial corridors across various vital cities and one of these projects will be supported by the Government of Japan, which is something that will boost the flow of opportunities in the metal forming sectors.

Of all the latest innovations that have revolutionised the metal forming industry, laser-cutting technology takes a place of pride. The new laser-cutting approach has provided the much needed power, accuracy and rapidity to operations in the metal forming industry. It has helped reduce time and power consumption to a substantial extent. The cutting reflexes of laser are second to none and have considerably increased productivity levels. Though technologies such as plasma, punch press, CNC milling and water jet have been in vogue since quite some time, laser has gone beyond all frontiers.

Presently it is the Indian automotive component industry that is opening many doors for us. It has indicated a CAGR of 11 per cent even as India is on its way to become the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer by the year 2020. The automotive sector is rising exponentially too with 7.1 per cent contribution to the GDP. Such good growth is also being witnessed in the electrical machinery sector with a remarkable CAGR of 14.8 per cent during the last eight years. That apart, the construction industry is attracting the second highest inflow of FDI. This positivity is being indicated through infrastructural growth on the rise across major cities, not to forget the government’s commitment to taking it forward to the next level. All these are demand-driving sectors and since metal forming is linked to all these industries, those engaged in laser technology are likely to reap good benefits.

What are your company’s growth plans for 2016?

With over 21 patents in laser technology, SLTL is aiming to astonish the metal forming sector with excellent implementation of those patents. One of the biggest innovations we have come up with is to manufacture fibre laser-cutting machines. The world was completely oblivious from fibre laser’s metal-cutting abilities. We developed it in India, and SLTL now holds the patent right. We have wide range of solutions ranging from 500 watts to 6 kW. The company saw a turnover of Rs 150 crore last financial year and aims to reach Rs 180-200 crore for the current financial year. In terms of product development, we are carrying out a lot of fundamental R&D, for which we have earmarked 10 per cent of our total revenues. The Indian government has supported and encouraged us to gain patent rights. SLTL also offers specialized solutions for laser marking, diamond processing and scanning, jewellery marking, automotive components, plastic, aerospace and defense, among others.

SLTL, which embarked on its journey in 1989, has six production units with an installed capacity of over 7,000 machines, globally. It employs over 500 staff. The company aims to set up a new unit at our home base, Gandhinagar, related to laser products with an investment of Rs 40 crore. The facility will be completed by 2017 and will hire 100 more staff. We divide ourselves into two segments — less than 150 watts and greater than 150 watts. The low power range capacity of manufacturing machines is around 3,000 laser systems per year. Those with higher capacity amount to 150 machines per year. With the new facility we will enhance the production capacity of 150 machines to 160-250 and those of low power from 3,000 to 5,000 laser systems. SLTL has over 70 per cent market share in India, while the Middle East is the biggest export market for us along with Thailand, China, the US and Canada, among other nations.

Could you elaborate about new technologies?

The age of modern technology has ushered in greater accuracy, speed and convenience in the manufacturing industry and has enhanced various procedures from the roots. SLTL, the manufacturer of the world’s first fibre laser-cutting machine, has come up with another innovative machine, which, by its nature, will take productivity beyond traditional barriers. The SLTL Sheet Stacker is marvellous for its weight-carrying capacity, which is 4,000 kg per pallet and is fascinatingly energy-efficient. Customized stocking options such as 10, 15, 20 floors make it really compatible regardless the manufacturing facility or at huge warehouses and factories. It demonstrates remarkable space management. An elevator with dual-linked chain allows strong holds over the sheets during transportation.

This sheet stacker is effectively compatible with any sort of metal forming system through installation of sheet data into software. The machine accurately recognises the sheet through its thickness measure from the inputs and makes inventory tasks very smooth. The operation panel has been designed considering user-friendliness and while developing the panel the whole emphasis was on enabling any type of machine user to operate the machine in no time. With a personalised software interface, it enables holistic integration with software such as ERP and SAP. Apart from splendid usability, the machine has significantly low service and maintenance cost thanks to a highly durable pallet transfer system, which makes it a righteous long-term asset worth possessing.

Lifting and shifting large metal sheets in metal forming plants is one of the rising concerns as per the latest study. SLTL has introduced a loading-unloading machine, aiming to eliminate the trouble caused while lifting and shifting metal sheets. The fully automatic machine executes loading and unloading tasks effortlessly, and it reduces a lot human efforts and time consequently. SLTL’s loading unloading machine comes with vertical and horizontal alternatives, which fit into the premises exactly as per the requirements. It standardizes the processes at the facility and decreases the rate of errors. The loading-unloading machine can be synced with any sort of metal forming systems such as laser, water jet, etc. and the machine swiftly loads/unloads the sheets with all of those diverse systems. The mighty suction cups lift the metal sheets and place them on the machine as per the required position.

– HUNED CONTRACTOR