Tag: automation

Hands-on Training on CAD/CAM Application on CNC Machine

Smart manufacturing exemplifies the importance of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. It represents a holistic integration of cutting-edge technologies across all facets of the manufacturing process, encompassing product design, supply chain management, production, distribution, and sales. Central to this transformation is the shift towards automation and robust data collection and analysis systems, which are fundamental in enhancing production efficiency and product quality. CAD, or Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), is technology designed for creators to design, draft and produce technical documentation–replacing manual hand-drawn and drafting techniques with a digital-first process. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or engineer, you’ve probably used 2D or 3D CAD programs such as AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Civil 3D, Inventor, or Fusion 360 software. These widely used tools can help you explore design concepts, visualize with photorealistic renders and simulate real-world performance.

Central Workshop and Instrument Service Section (CWISS) of IIT Kharagpur offers Hands-on Training on “CAD/CAM Application on CNC Machine” which plays a major role for training and is essential for developing skills among students, faculty, technical/industry professional in utilizing the latest and most advanced CAD software for 2D drafting and 3D modelling effectively. Additionally, training in CAM software for generating tool path coding (NC Files) for operation of various types of CNC machine is crucial.

CWISS of IIT Kharagpur is a leading provider of CNC manufacturing services, specializing in the production of complex and precise components, equipped with the latest CAD/CAM technology. CWISS can produce a wide range of products, from prototypes to production parts, with high quality and precision for our students, researchers, faculty, and various sponsored companies (Govt & Private) for their R&D projects and offer a wide range of CNC machine services, including tool path programming & operation of CNC machines, including CNC Turning (2 Axis), CNC Milling (3 to 5 Axis), CNC Wire Cut EDM (4 Axis) and CNC Die Sinking EDM.

Working closely with the respective stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, CWISS is also equipped with various unique service sections featuring the latest technology and machinery, such as the Audio-Visual Section and Glass Blowing Section, as well as the Carpentry Section providing the highest quality of products and services.

In smart manufacturing, software acts as the linchpin, seamlessly connecting sensors, machinery, and systems across the production spectrum. This integration facilitates an extensive gathering and examination of data, forming a comprehensive technological ecosystem. The interconnectedness is instrumental in strengthening manufacturing efficiency, enabling companies to develop novel business models and practices. This evolution in manufacturing, driven by digital transformation, redefines efficiency standards and opens new horizons for creative and sustainable solutions in the industry. Prof. Manab Kumar Das, Chairperson, CWISS remarked, “Research and development endeavors are making roadways towards a better sustenance of the society. Skillful fabrication based on modern technologies are of utmost important for laboratories and industries. At the same time, an educational training to share and impart knowledge is emphasized for innovation, social awareness and professional ethics. The vision is to be resourceful in service and training for excellence in technical education and to serve the society at large while the mission is to provide state-of-the-art fabrication facility. Pro-active interaction towards industry needs. Impart training and knowledge to meet the technological needs of the region and the country.”

CWISS Team is committed to provide the customers with the highest quality products and services as per their expectation. They work closely with the customers to understand their needs and ensure that they meet their expectations with full satisfactions. They are equipped with the latest CAD/CAM Technology which allows them to design and manufacture products quickly and efficiently. They can work from customer’s existing designs or create new ones from scratch with CAD software. CAM software enables them to generate Toolpath code along with simulation capabilities for collision and gauge checking.  They also offer a wide range of CNC Machining Services, enabling them to produce a diverse array of  products from prototypes to production parts, all crafted with exceptional quality and precision.

A very interesting process of the CWISS department is the Glass Blowing Section. Glass Blowing is an ancient art form where molten glass is inflated into a bubble using a blowpipe. This technique allows artisans to create intricate shapes and designs, demonstrating both skill and creativity. The carpentry section on the other hand designs, construct, and repair wooden structures and fixtures with precision and craftsmanship. There is also a Audio-Visual Section whose objective is to provide better audio visual service to the clients of the institute. The AV Cell is Technically Sound is Installing, Testing, Commissioning, AV System, CCTV Surveillance, NCS, ACS, QMS. Next goal of AV Cell is to Install and Establish, a state of Art Smart Classroom at NCRC.

Eligibility:
Students with BE/B.Tech/B.Sc Diploma in Engineering, ITI or Higher Qualification in relevant field as well as Faculties, Technical/Industry Professionals

Certificate:
A certificate of participant will be issued from the Office of the Dean, Continuing Education, IIT Kharagpur upon completion of the course.

Mode of Training:
Off-Campus/On-Campus

Resources required for off campus:
Computer with network connection, installing AutoCAD & SolidWorks Software & Projector for Lecture Series.

A Brief Description:
Training will be provided on

  • CAD Software for 2D Drafting & 3D Modelling with AutoCAD & SolidWorks Software (Latest Version)
  • Tool Path Coding generation with G + M code with Fanuc
  • Control System
  • Training on CAM Software for Tool Path Coding
  • Autodesk Power Mill: 3 to 5 Axis CNC VMC
  • Win NC EMCO: 2 Axis Turning Machine
  • ElCAM: CNC wire-cut EDM Machine
  • Training on CNC Machine Machine Operation
  • 5-Axis CNC VMC: VM10Ui/HURCO
  • 4-Axis CNC VMC: VF-2/HAAS
  • 2-Axis CNC Turning: EMCO Concept Turn 105
  • CNC Wire cut EDM: Spin Cut Electronica
  • CNC Die sink EDM: SMART CNC Electronica
Inputs by: Prof. Manab Kumar Das, Chairperson, CWISS
Email: chairman.cwiss@adm.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Transforming Rural Economies

COVID-19 has given a clarion call for a technology-enabled world, more so in the context of the Indian rural sector which has always stayed several steps behind the urban way of living. The slow progress could be attributed to not just lack of financial resources but also towards weak communication of functional knowledge, for a large population lacking literacy (M: 80.9%, F: 64.6%), and reliance on western technologies failing to cater to the requirements of the rural population of India. Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have come forward to bridge this gap by rolling out farming technologies as well as non-farming technologies for rural employment. 

Talking about this initiative, Director, IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Virendra Tewari said,

“The Government of India offers huge subsidies for mechanization of the rural sector, but the farm machinery sector has not invested significantly in creating a market for indigenous technologies  addressing the burning need of the Indian rural sector.  Experts at IIT Kharagpur are answering this challenge by designing technologies well suited for the livelihood of the rural class of our country.”

The Institute, through its Precision Farming Development Centre, Farm Implements and Machinery and Rural Technology Action Group projects, has developed and deployed farm machinery including ranging from micro-irrigation, combined harvester, crop and vegetable planters, solar energy operated transplanters, groundnut diggers, ultrasonic sprayers. Further non-farming livelihood technologies for rural small-scale and cottage industries have been mechanized. To name a few, Dhenki, Potter Wheel, Jute Rope making, Door Mat making, Amber Charkha, Rice Flaking. The initiative also includes social impact technologies such as Smokeless Chullahs, Rural Drinking Water Facility. 

Prof Kamlesh Tiwari, one of the lead researchers in this program confirmed the training of around 2500 farmers from nearby villages of West Bengal and Odisha in micro-irrigation and protected cultivation structures. Several farmers who adopted these farm machinery and farm equipment reported a decrease in labor cost, reduction in the cost of cultivation, timeliness operations, improvement in pulverization, increase in soil fertility and production. Mr. Karthik Maity, from Hurnal village of Purba Medinipur and Subratha Mahesh from the Gurgram village of Paschim Medinipur, expressed their delight over their enhanced yield due to the technologies they adopted and the increased profits. 

Further, outreach programs were organized by the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering and the Rural Development Centre to communicate, train rural people and help their transition to mechanized farming and livelihoods. IIT Kharagpur has extensively mobilized the funding available under national mission projects like ‘National Initiative for Design Innovation’ and ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ towards achieving this goal. 

“We are ensuring the technologies are being implemented either in their farms or being adopted to generate employment through startups, setting up self-help groups. The livelihood technology adoption program witnessed significant acceptance in three North Eastern states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura as well as in several districts of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu,”  Prof. Kamlesh Tiwari said.

Earlier this year, the India Brand Equity Foundation, an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, had estimated the gross value to be added by the rural sector, including agriculture, forestry and fishing, at ₹20 trillion approximately with a dominant employment share of 58%. Also, in May, the Finance Ministry had announced an economic stimulus of ₹1.5 trillion to boost agricultural infrastructure and logistics and ₹400 billion was allocated for the rural employment guarantee scheme. Referring to this Director, Prof. Virendra Tewari further emphasized on the strategic importance of such technology development.

He remarked, “While India is moving at an accelerated pace towards digitization, there is a crucial need to complement it with automation in the rural livelihood and farming sector and warrant a uniform progress. Such transition in rural livelihood will not only increase productivity and earnings manifold but will also lead to capacity building for rural and cottage industries, improved product quality, increased employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities in rural areas.” 

Media Coverage:

Business Insider       Outlook        Republic World         Dainik Jagran        NDTV         Patrika           Hindustan Times

Contacts:

Project Information: Prof. Kamlesh N Tiwari, kamlesh@agfe.iitkgp.ac.in;

Institute Related: Prof. B N Singh, registrar@hijli.iitkgp.ac.in; 

Media Outreach: Shreyoshi Ghosh, shreyoshi@adm.iitkgp.ac.in; More News:: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/; 

Follow IIT Kharagpur on Social Media: Facebook:@IIT.Kgp; Twitter: @IITKgp; Instagram: @iit.kgp

Cleaning Automation Post COVID-19

IIT Kharagpur Develops Mechanised Mobile Broom for Cleaning Large Public Spaces

Business Insider      Outlook      Times Now          India Today       News18 Hindi          The Week       Navbharat Times        Republic World

Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have developed a vehicle-based mechanized broom to clean the 2100 acre campus area. The technology has been successfully tested across the campus during the present lockdown situation. 

Named Sammarjak MB 4.2 this technology consists of two mechanized brooms in the front and one side, running on battery and solar power. It has the flexibility to move the dirt on roads in angular directions or in up and down direction to fit various road conditions.

Prof. Virendra K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur, has planned to deploy the vehicle to be used on campus as the administration expects to face a shortage of sanitation staff even after lockdown opens. Talking about the current labour situation on the campus, he said,

“We had restricted entry of a significant section of the workforce to our campus since late March. Further we have reassigned some cleaning staff towards sanitizing the key areas in the campus which are frequented by the residents. But considering our campus size we needed a substantial number of sanitation workers and this gap is being filled by automatizing the brooming system across all the pathways.” 

He congratulated Prof. Mihir Sarangi who led this frugal innovation to keep the campus clean during the lockdown period.

“The system is highly flexible to suit Indian road conditions including those in semi-urban areas. Being an indigenously built technology we kept in mind the steep curves and undulations of Indian streets and made the brooms adjustable vertically and horizontally. Further we have added solar power charging in addition to the battery to keep the running cost low,” said Prof. Sarangi.

He is hoping this would enable organizations and public bodies, with budget constraints, to adopt the system.

Another key issue being addressed by this system is that of automation of public services. With the restrictions on movement of labourers and their uncertain health conditions, engagement of 30 per cent workforce to maintain social distancing norms as recommended by the government, cleaning and sanitizing large areas are becoming a concern for various public bodies and organizations. IIT Kharagpur envisions automation as the solution to address this challenge.

“To avoid any disruption or slowing down of productivity due to less labourers, it is crucial for our society to make a firm move towards automation, be it industries or the regular walk of life such as community maintenance mechanisms. This has been a reality in the developed nations and I do not see a reason why it cannot be ours,” remarked Director Tewari.

When asked whether such automation would reduce job opportunities, Director Tewari cited how the introduction of computers has revolutionized Indian job sector and the opportunities automation would create through new avenues and ancillary industries engaged in indigenous production.