AIC π-Hub organized one-day theme meeting on “Recent Advances in TIG Welding”

Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), hosted a day-long theme meeting on recent advances in tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding in Indore on March 22, 2024. The theme meeting marks a novel initiative promulgated by AIC π-Hub to bring academia, research labs and industry on one platform so that the country’s research output can become useful to the tech-hungry industry. This effort can empower the industry to improve quality and productivity without spending much.

Scientists from research labs are always struggling with enormous challenges on application of material joining technologies for converting their cutting-edge ideas into achievable products; therefore, they might get good industrial partners or may convert this opportunity to enter collaborations with the academia.

In his inaugural address, Dr. S V Nakhe, Director RRCAT, said, “The AIC π-Hub is playing a pivotal role in promoting innovation and transferring RRCAT developed technologies to local industries so that they can enhance their overall productivity and processes.”

Dr. C P Paul, Head, AIC π-Hub, briefed about its aims and objectives. He said, “AIC π-Hub has been incorporated to translate RRCAT technologies, knowhow, and expertise to marketable products and processes through enterprises and startups promoting innovations.”

Subject experts Prof. Supriyo Ganguly (Cranfield University, UK), Dr. M Vasudevan (IGCAR), Mr. Abhay Kumar (RRCAT), Dr. Renu Gupta (L&T India, Mumbai), Prof. D K Dwivedi (IIT, Roorkee) and Mr. Nimesh Chinoy (Sigma Weld) delivered curated talks and engaged with audience in developing deeper understanding of the technologies.

One of the unique features of the event was a short talk delivered by Dr Ishnia Choudhary (Insight Alchemy, Indore) on ‘Essentiality of Workplace Ethics’. This brought out the significance of human factors in delivering technologies and meeting the objectives of business organizations.

It has opened a new avenue of collaborations so that the technologies do not remain confined to the walls of academia and research labs. More such events are to be held so that MSMEs can benefit from the collective knowledge of the nation.  Apart from delving into the intricacies of the TIG process, the event also highlighted its manifold benefits for both sectors.  For the MSME sector, the event provided a comprehensive understanding of how implementing TIG welding techniques can significantly enhance productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness in their operations.

Mr. Abhay Kumar, Convener RATIG-24 and Head, Design & Manufacturing Technology Division, RRCAT, said, “RRCAT is helping three Indian industries with four collaborative incubations through AIC π-Hub at RRCAT. They include a start-up Metal & Membrane where it is involved in development of full penetration TIG welding of porous pipes with solid pipes in materials like titanium and stainless steel. It is also serving big industries, like - Godrej with two such collaborations. Another company, Electronic Devices Worldwide Private Limited, is also benefitting from the knowledge created at the division.”

Dr. Renu N. Gupta, Head, project management & welding, L&T, Mumbai, said that when you see successful products like a rocket or a nuclear power plant, it is very difficult for the common people to imagine about the technologies that are evolved, developed, and deployed to build the crucial components.”

More than 150 delegates from research labs, academia and industry participated in the meeting.