New Delhi: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and SFO Technologies Pvt Ltd have jointly developed India's first indigenously designed and manufactured Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) technology.
The announcement was made at the inauguration of the Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility at NeST Hitek Park, Kalamassery, according to a statement on Wednesday.
The facility was inaugurated by CSL Chairman and Managing Director Jose V J and SFO Technologies Chairman and Managing Director Dr N Jehangir.
The jointly developed HLAW system integrates laser welding, conventional arc welding, robotics and advanced automation, powered by a high-power fibre laser source indigenously developed by SFO Technologies.
The technology is expected to deliver faster welding speeds, deeper penetration, lower distortion and improved weld consistency across shipbuilding, defence, heavy engineering, railways, energy and other strategic manufacturing sectors, including the production of large tanks and wagons, thereby improving productivity, it said.
The development is expected to reduce India's dependence on imported laser welding platforms and strengthen domestic capabilities in high-end industrial technologies.
In shipbuilding, where welding is central to vessel construction, the system could help improve productivity, structural quality and manufacturing repeatability.
"By developing the high-power fibre laser source in-house and integrating it with advanced welding, robotics and automation, we have demonstrated that high-end manufacturing technologies can be conceived, engineered and built in India," Jehangir said.
Jose V J said the partnership demonstrated how engineering innovation could address real industrial needs.
Cochin Shipyard's collaboration with SFO Technologies has enabled the joint development of a technology that is relevant to shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries, he said.
"The indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding has the potential to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness across Indian manufacturing," he said.
The new centre will focus on research, testing, validation and commercialisation of advanced laser technologies, supporting the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while positioning Kochi as an emerging hub for industrial innovation, the statement added.
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