The Hindu : Front Page : Consortium to develop flexible automation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 02, 2007
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Consortium to develop flexible automation

Special Correspondent

Product to be delivered in 3 configurations

— Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

ROBOTIC THRUST: M.S. Ananth, Director, IIT-Madras (left), and T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, at a meeting in Chennai.

CHENNAI: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), IIT Bombay (IIT-B), five automotive companies and two small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have formed a consortium under the Core-group on Automotive R&D (CAR) activities to develop low-cost flexible automation using robotic arm for the automotive industry.

The first meeting of the consortium members took place here on Thursday with the representatives signing the agreement in the presence of Department of Science & Technology (DST) Secretary T. Ramasami. The total budget for the project is Rs.5.57 crore with industries contributing Rs.52.50 lakh. The Centre is likely to contribute Rs.5.04 crore by way of grant.

Talking to the members, Mr. Ramasami said that this project would develop high-reliability, application performance-specific robots priced significantly lower than the currently available imported models that cost between Rs. 8 lakh and Rs.20 lakh based on payload, precision and speed.

The work schedule for the project is divided into 10 packages. The consortia members have promised to deliver the product in three configurations within 12 months.

“There has been a sudden growth in car manufacturing activities in the country, with many companies setting up units in and around Chennai. These units need latest manufacturing technologies to stay ahead in the race in terms of quality, productivity and flexibility. It can’t be done by an individual or by a university alone and hence the consortium approach is needed. This initiative brings together Indian auto industry and academia to focus on pre-competitive research,” he said.

Later talking to newspersons, he said that development of low-cost robots is a priority in automobile manufacturing as it provides for flexibility. Besides, this project can have a great impact on the competitiveness of the Indian auto industry.

As a lead agency, IIT-M would play an important role in the technology development process and establish a centre of excellence for calibration and validation of robots. It would provide support services in robotics. IIT-B will carry out modelling, simulation, control algorithms and validation of robots, said IIT-M Director M.S. Ananth.

The five auto industries comprising TVS Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sona Koyo, TVS Lucas and Mico would test two robotic arms in industrial shop floor for 10 applications.

Systemantics India will design, develop and supply 10 robots, while Magtorq will develop and supply light weight speed reducers.

“We have completed more than 95 per cent of our research project ahead of schedule and hence we hope this would also be done on time by the consortia members. Last year, we received Rs.67 crore as funds for development of new projects and for the first six months, we have received Rs. 40 crore,” said T.T. Narendran, Dean, Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research, IIT-M.

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