“As India continues to produce such moulds to meet the growing demands, it has simultaneously led to the increased adoption of CNC machines in the country,” said Hank, Sales Manager – Indian Operations, Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co. Ltd. (YCM). Wing Liu, International Business Head, and Patrick P. Chen, General Manager, Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co. Ltd. had visited India along with Hank Sales, the Manager of the company’s Indian Operations in July 2023. During their visit, they had an insightful meeting with Nishant Kashyap, Editor of TAGMA Times, and D. Shanmugasundaram, MD of S&T Group and Vice President of TAGMA (India).
Can you provide an overview of the current state of the CNC machining market in India, with a specific focus on the die and mould industry?
CNC machining is an essential process in mould manufacturing. With the stable development of the Indian market, the demand for moulds in various industries has been increasing rapidly. Additionally, there is a proactive effort to develop local mould manufacturing to reduce the need for imports. As a result, there is a significant increase in the use of CNC machining processes and capacity requirements in India in order to meet the production needs of large, medium, and small-sized moulds.
What are the latest developments in CNC machining technology? How can these developments enhance the efficiency of die and toolmakers?
In order to enhance the efficiency of mould manufacturing, CNC machining plays a critical role in improving the dimensional accuracy, surface roughness and cutting feed rate. To achieve these, relevant technologies can be categorised into software and mechanical aspects.
On the software side, the main focus is on enhancing the operating speed of numerical controllers, by reducing program cycle times and incorporating intelligent functions. However, the most crucial factor is the use of CNC machines with higher rigidity and faster speeds. Only with such machines can the utmost mechatronics integration capabilities be utilised to maximise mould machining efficiency.
How have automation and digitisation influenced the CNC machining landscape?
Automation can significantly reduce reliance on manual labour. It can effectively increase the production time with unmanned operations, and greatly reduce the dependency on equipment operators. Digitalisation of the CNC machining centre and shop floor reporting enables real-time collection and analysis of digital information. This gives managers immediate access to the factory’s production status and identifies critical issues that need to be promptly tackled.
Are there any notable trends or emerging technologies in CNC machining that you believe will have a significant impact on die and mould professionals in India?
Yes, I believe in terms of the mechanical aspects, higher-speed spindles ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 RPM for advanced machining techniques, high stability spindle run-out accuracy to ensure precise and stable operations, and effective thermal deformation control to maintain stability during machining will be among the notable trends.
In terms of CNC aspects, digital twin technology will be a crucial aspect in the future. This technology can accurately calculate machining time predictions with a precision rate of up to 99.9%. It can also simulate mould surface finishing accuracy and optimise the process before actual machining.
In your opinion, what are the key factors contributing to the growth and adoption of CNC machines in the die and mould industry in India?
In India, there is an increase in demand for more complex and higher-precision moulds, which are manufactured using CNC machines. As India continues to produce such moulds to meet the growing demands, it has simultaneously led to the increased adoption of CNC machines in the country.
What would you say should be the main considerations for die and mould professionals when choosing CNC machines for specific applications?
The first consideration should be the rigidity performance of the machine design and the precision capacity of the spindle. Additionally, when the mould design involves large incline angles and steep structures, adopting five-axis machining can enhance processing efficiency. Therefore, local technical service support in India becomes important for achieving optimal results.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of CNC machining in the die and mould industry in India? Are there any upcoming developments or initiatives we should be excited about?
Currently, the mould market in India is highly competitive. Apart from quantity, there is an increasing demand for high-quality moulds. We can expect the five-axis machining technology in the production process to meet these demands. Additionally, integrating smart automation, smart machine, and smart management software systems will also be adopted to align with top-notch mould manufacturing standards. This integration will enable India to achieve a leading position in mould manufacturing.
Looking at the growth of the Indian mould manufacturing business, we are very confident that in collaboration with S&T Group, YCM will be able to meet the growing demands for dies and moulds. We will rely on our outstanding CNC machining technology, backed by S&T’s strong sales, service, and application support to achieve the same. YCM will also cater to Indian customers in a major way by developing a technical centre as well as a manufacturing unit in India within a year.
This interview was first published on TAGMA Times Newsletter
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