SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) successfully hosted the International Seminar on Machining Technologies (ISMT) 2025, held in conjunction with IMTEX 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on January 24-25, 2025.

The premier event brought together over 350 delegates from more than 100 companies to explore cutting-edge machining technologies and industry trends.

Inauguration and Keynote Sessions

The seminar was inaugurated by an esteemed panel, including B Thej Kumar, Vice President - Operations, Product Development and Quality, Toyoda Gosei South India Pvt Ltd; Anuj Jhunjhunwala, Chief Executive Officer, JJG Aero; and Aditya Narayanan, Vice President – Engineering, Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd.

Joining them on the dais were key IMTMA representatives: Rajendra S Rajamane, President, IMTMA; Mohini Kelkar, Vice President, IMTMA; and Jibak Dasgupta, Director General & CEO, IMTMA.

Highlighting India’s pivotal role in the global aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, Jhunjhunwala noted, “The realignment of global supply chains and the growing influence of Indian airlines are pushing the commercial aircraft industry to take India’s sourcing capabilities seriously. Just as India’s Automotive sector rose from near obscurity to become one of the world’s top five manufacturing hubs in the last two decades, the Indian Aerospace industry stands on the brink of a similar breakthrough.”

Thej Kumar spoke on India’s remarkable growth in the Automotive sector, “We are witnessing an 8.8 percent CAGR growth in the Automotive segment. India is poised to become the hub and the third largest automobile manufacturer in the world. This year, we have already reached 4.3 million in automotive sales — the highest ever in our history, concluded in December 2024. Leading this growth are luxury cars, which represent a rapidly expanding segment in India.”

Narayanan, in the session ‘Electronics Manufacturing Catalyzing Growth and Making India a Manufacturing Hub’, pointed out at the immense growth potential of India’s electronics market, and noted, “Currently, the Indian electronics market is valued at US$ 100 trillion, with 40 percent of this coming from mobile manufacturing. India is now the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world, and we’re just getting started.”

Event Highlights

The seminar featured an impressive lineup of over 30 technical presentations by industry experts from across the globe. Key topics discussed included: ‘Hybrid Manufacturing: The fusion of traditional machining and additive manufacturing’; ‘Sustainability in Metal Cutting’; ‘Industry 4.0 and Data-Driven Manufacturing’; ‘Digital Twin Technology’; ‘Advanced Tool Holding and Process Optimization’; ‘Smart Sustainable Solutions’; ‘Virtual and Augmented Reality in CAD/CAM’; and ‘Enhancing Productivity and Safety through Collaborative Robots (Cobots)’.

Panel Discussions and Technical Sessions

The seminar also featured a compelling panel discussion on ‘Shaping India’s Manufacturing Ecosystems for Global Excellence.’ The panel was comprised of prominent industry leaders, including Jim Walsh, Vice President – Tooling, Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd; L Krishnan, Managing Director, TaeguTec India Pvt Ltd; Seenivasan Balasubramanian, CEO, International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt Ltd; Ravi Raghavan, Managing Director, BFW Ltd; and Praveen VA, Vice President – Engineering, Toyotetsu India Auto Parts Pvt Ltd.

Additionally, a presentation by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) focused on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), emphasizing its role in democratizing digital commerce in India.

Two parallel concurrent sessions followed, covering: Smart Sustainable Solutions and Emerging Technologies.

Technical Deep Dives

The event also featured in-depth technical discussions on: ‘5-Axis Machining Techniques for Aerospace and Medical Applications’, ‘Multi-Sensor Systems in CMMs for Improved Accuracy’, ‘Tool Wear Monitoring and Compensation’, ‘Unlocking the Power of Data-Driven Manufacturing’, ‘Next-Gen Machining Solutions for Enhanced Productivity’, ‘Condition Monitoring of Machine Tool Spindles’, and ‘Optimized Milling and Hobbing Strategies for Worm Gears’.

Impact and Takeaways

ISMT 2025 turned out to be a crucial forum for networking, knowledge sharing, and industry advancement.  The seminar highlighted the growing role of machining technologies in bolstering India’s Manufacturing sector, supporting national programs like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

The event was highly successful in offering industry professionals actionable insights into future-ready machining solutions, reinforcing its significance in driving innovation and operational excellence.

Future editions of ISMT 2025 promise even more participation and insights into the changing world of machining technologies. Its role in influencing industry trajectories and developing international collaborations remains crucial in keeping India at the forefront of manufacturing excellence.

Poonam Pednekar Chief Copy Editor Magic Wand Media Inc poonam.pednekar@magicwandmedia.in

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