Every major technological shift reflects a quantum leap in automotive manufacturing which is the first to adopt new technology trends followed by other manufacturing sectors. The USD 93 billion automotive industry that is currently shouldering 7.1% of India's GDP, contributes 49% to the nation's manufacturing GDP. With auto players now gearing up for the transition to automated shop floors and smart, digitalised factories, the right mix of strategy and collaboration with technology partners will ensure a competitive advantage. Bringing together leading technology-driven brands and their newest innovations for the automotive industry, the 12th edition of the Automotive Engineering Show returns to Chennai next month.
The strong list of exhibitors and a series of live product demonstrations and seminar sessions will enable the O.E.M and automotive manufacturers to identify, connect and collaborate with the right technology partners for industrial and process automation together with quality control tools under one roof. Opening its doors to the industry from on 4th July, the business event will feature over 85 prominent technology players coming together at the Chennai Trade Centre. Focused on technologies for automotive manufacturing, the exhibition will feature tech majors like Baumer India, Bharat Forge, Carl Zeiss, DesignTech Systems, Festo India, Nikon India, Olympus, Pepperl + Fuchs, Schmersal India, Staubli Tec, Sick India, Tal Manufacturing, Wipro 3D among other leading names.
The strong presence of automotive majors has gained Chennai its recognition as one of the country's largest automotive and auto components manufacturing hub. Taking place in this city which houses one of the largest auto-clusters, the exhibition comes at an important juncture when the growing dominance of autonomous and connected vehicles is witnessing innovative technological developments making inroads into the automobile industry.
For instance, the diversification of the automotive market into Hybrid Electric Vehicles and EVs creates new challenges in design and manufacturing. One of the primary issues have been the integration of high-voltage, high-power batteries in the 300 V range or higher on platforms traditionally using 12V. These high voltages generate additional costs and risks in ensuring smooth, safe power conversion for the various on board electrical sub-systems. Companies now must consider site preparation necessities, and safety requirements when transitioning from low power to high power. Having a commercial off-the-shelf solution that has a low cost of ownership would minimize high-power test costs by reducing floor space usage, reduce heat dissipation, and maintaining uptime. Offering solutions for this segment are companies such as Keysight which will be displaying its RP7900 Series regenerative power system at the three day fair.
Moreover, consumers are increasingly demanding in-vehicle connectivity, advanced driver assistance (ADAS), infotainment services, and other innovative features. To meet this challenge, automotive industry is rapidly moving to adopt Ethernet's scalable and flexible networking technology. However ethernet's shared medium technology offers its own challenges of performance, reliability and security. Addressing this need, Embedded Systems Solutions will be showcasing the US-based AKUKA Systems technology - Aukua MGA2510 which is a powerful Ethernet Test system supporting IEEE standards-based automotive Ethernet.
German manufacturer, SICK Germany will bring ‘microScan3' - The new generation of Safety Laser Scanners, which comes with innovative safeHDDM® scanning technology equipped with onboard Core Input/Ouput, EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET for safe machine integration. With on-board ethernet and profinet communication, easy integration and diagnosis is possible, which will play an important role in Indian Industrial Safety to take a step forward to Industry 4.0.
Other interesting product highlights at AES Chennai that auto manufacturers need to look out for:
1. The PHD Pneu-Connect, a cost-effective pneumatic end-effector system providing seamless integration for Universal Robots that utilizes standard PHD Peumatic grippers and works on compressed air - which makes the purchase cost less than half as compared to its electric rivals
2. Wipro 3D's Steering Bracket which is one of its largest 3D Printed automotive components optimized through Additive Engineering principles and FEA resulting in weight reduction and geometry optimized for the stress path
3. Precision reduction gears used in the joints of industrial robots to support their accurate and powerful motion will be displayed by Nabtesco
4. Working on new innovative process optimization, new applications, and new alloy development, Intech DMLS will showcase end-to-end solutions for metal 3D printing technology for the automotive sector
5. Bringing solutions for Industrial vision automation, inspection and software based on AI platform solutions, Qualitas technologies will showcase advanced Vision Guided robotics, Surface defect inspection, Line scan system, Parts inspection etc
6. Industrial Touch Computers, Made in India, With Capacitive Touch and optional inbuilt Software Packages for Paperless Factories and harsh Factory environments by Palas Software
7. Chroma's 17020 high precision system specifically designed for secondary battery modules and pack tests by Quantel Technologies India
8. Piston, Systems and components required for conveying, dosing, applying, filling and emptying medium to high-viscosity fluids by ViscoTec
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