Beyond Mechanization......
Excon 2007 showcased mechanization in construction equipment created through finest engineering and manufacturing skills. This went on to reinforce the perception well that India’s construction industry is on a fast track mechanization. P. P. Basistha reports.
The ambience of Excon 2007 was “mechanization is passé, engineering refinement is in.” Construction equipment exhibitors at the show turned no stone to drive down the idea through their wide and new range of products. The well studded display, showcasing engineering advancements in the products, drove the idea well that highest level of research and development is increasingly becoming a norm in manufacturing of construction equipment to suit the customized requirements of the Indian construction industry.
Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. G. K. Sharma, Senior General Manager-Marketing, Cummins and Mr. Vikram Jaisinghani, Vice President, Industrial Engine Business, Cummins, told, “the prime feature of Cummins engine is its power to weight ratio in the engine is balanced.” They mentioned that while size of the engine has been made contracted, the product has been made to produce maximum output.” This is essential to reduce the total load of the engine, so as to enable it manoeuvre during operation with greater flexibility.”
They informed, that the engineering department of Cummins have V.P.I ( value package integration) for its customers. VPI is a knowledge management programme. The knowledge management programme acts as a data bank support system. Based on this the engine is made customized as per the requirement of the original equipment manufacturers based on the construction application of the machines. V.P.I acts as a support system for Cummins to undertake innovation in its products. It is also the key element for Cummins to undertake R&D in its products.
Products created and positioned through heightened research and development was Enginemates Heat Transfer Private Limited. Enginemates manufactures radiators, oil coolers, fans etc for construction equipment. Enginemates products also finds application in cooling towers, marine applications etc. Enginemates' fans which are used in construction equipment are manufactured through technical collaboration of Multiwing of Denmark.
Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. Mahesh Menon and Mr. Manoj Menon of Enginemates mentioned that the company’s products are much customized to meet the requirements of the customers. They pointed out that based on the requirement blade angle of the Enginemates' fans can be changed by the equipment users. They said that the design of the blades ensures less fuel consumption in the equipment. They said, as compared to sheet metal fans, fans manufactured by Enginemates through multiwing technology requires less power. Enginemates clients include, JCB, Telcon, L&T, Komatsu, Caterpillar, BEML, Cummins, and others.
In line to display advanced customised products was industrial crane manufacturer Electromech. Mr. Suhail Singh Bajaj of Electromech mentioned, that Electromech’s machines are fully in sync with the present day lifting requirements requiring lighter cranes. He informed, that lighter cranes have compact features. The lighter features minimizes load on the factory structure. This in turn enables it to be highly productive during operation.
He informed that Electromech’s cranes have significant features consisting of Programme Logic Control. This is to monitor various aspects of crane operation. Besides, the cranes have user based options with safety features in place. Electromech has its own industrial cranes. It is also the distributor of German made ABUS cranes in India. Electromech’s clients includes, JCB, Tata BlueScope Steel, Volvo etc. Electromech’s industrial cranes finds application for industrial application for lifting of plant and machinery, it also finds use in construction application for lifting of prefabricated items. Electromech’s cranes ranges from goliath cranes, used for construction application to special purpose cranes.
Puzzolana demonstrated its rugged crushers at Excon 2007 event. The company is well acknowledged for rugged features. Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. Niyogi, CEO Puzzolana mentioned, that the company is strongly looking to develop 1,200 TPH crushers for the Indian market. The new range of crushers would be developed based on the high capacity crushing requirement.
Crusher manufacturing major, also evinced its intention towards developing high capacity crushers for the market. Mr. Raju, MD, Nawa Engineers, mentioned that the Indian crushing market has been showing increasing demand of crushers above 500 TPH. He said, that Nawa’s focus would be to manufacture high capacity crushers, with rugged features for enhanced productivity. He mentioned that the company would manufacture products adding technology and design refinement. Nawa demonstrated its newly launched 300 TPH mobile crushers at the event.
At par displaying hi-tech products produced through greater R&D involvement was manufacturers in proving their ability to deliver customized products based on advanced engineering skills and manufacturing systems.
Main in this category was MBA. MBA undertakes fabrication work of the track body, booms, arms, buckets for the original earthmoving equipment manufacturers. Speaking to NBM&CW, Col Himmat Sindhu, Executive Director, MBA said,“refinement in MBA products is based on its advanced manufacturing systems.” They pointed out that MBA factory as robotized welding system in place. This enabled the work to be undertaken and completed with greater accuracy. They said that accuracy is also provided by CNC machines, which are used to cut down plates during the manufacturing process.
Slew of manufacturers stole the show at Excon 2007 through displaying innovative construction equipment so as to cater the assorted demand requirement of the Indian construction market. Manufacturers also displayed products with robust features for higher productivity.
Innovative products at display was Carter mini crawler excavators by AAA Construction Equipment. The mini excavators have an operating weight ranging from 4,200 kg-8,200 kg. The excavators can find increased application in municipal and urban renewal projects. The excavators have an edge over high capacity excavators owing to its less space requirement during operation.
AAA Construction equipment is the distributor of US made Carter mini excavators in India.
Similar product line in display was mini backhoe loaders by US based Terramite Construction Equipment. The loaders can find application in municipal and urban renewal projects and can easily operate in construction projects or jobsites with space paucity. The loaders are cost effective to operate due to its smaller size. Terramite also displayed its concrete finishing machine. The concrete finishing machine comes with a Honda 4hp engine and have a horizontal shaft. It has a roller width of 4’-18’ and a roller diameter of 4-1/2" carbon steel pipe and mechanical tubing.
New products was also displayed by Proman. The crusher and screener manufacturer displayed its smart box for monitoring the performance of the crushers. The smart box can be attached to vertical shaft impactors.
Manufacturers to fill in the slot of rugged construction equipment was Taurus Engineering, the company displayed its wide range of Korean made hydraulic hammers.
Products providing integrated construction solutions was also a new area of display by equipment manufacturers. Concrete batching plant and transit mixer manufacturer, Polytech Automation Private limited displayed, German made, Hess concrete block making machines.
Speaking on the features of the block making machine, Mr. Prashant Kumar, Polytech said, the fundamental feature of the high capacity block making machine is that it can be attached to concrete plants and have a high capacity to produce one lakh blocks per hour. The block making machines have a heavy duty structure and advanced electronics.
Manufacturer at the show to offer integrated construction solution through its products was KPK group. KPK offers industrial and concrete flooring solutions. Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. K. Karthikean, Director, KPK group informed that KPK produces wide range of floor construction equipment and floor construction materials. It also manufactures wide range of floor cutting tools.
Mr. Karthikean informed the ability of the company to produce wide range of flooring equipment added with the ability to undertake turnkey projects makes it a company to provide integrated floor construction solutions. Range of products manufactured by KPK includes, vacuum dewatering pump, walk behind power floater, walk behind power trowel, beam screed, ride on trowel, big pan screed, concrete cutting machine, bull float etc.
Companies representing well knit distribution tie ups was also a major character of the event. In tune with this was W.B Engineers Pvt, Ltd. W.B Engineers, the distributor of Terex Finlay’s crushers and screeners in India. On the distribution tie up with Terex, Ms Marieta Barreta told the endeavor of WB Engineers would be to synergise its distribution tie up further with the company.
Scouting of larger business opportunities was also a reason of participation for companies. The idea of Italian piling major Mait was the same for participation. In all Excon 2007 served to be a complete platform for equipment manufacturers from selling of equipment to knowledge dissemination synthesized with business development.
The ambience of Excon 2007 was “mechanization is passé, engineering refinement is in.” Construction equipment exhibitors at the show turned no stone to drive down the idea through their wide and new range of products. The well studded display, showcasing engineering advancements in the products, drove the idea well that highest level of research and development is increasingly becoming a norm in manufacturing of construction equipment to suit the customized requirements of the Indian construction industry.
Research and Development: The Fine Print
For the hard struggling Indian construction industry for margins, manufacturers positioned products at the show that can yield high productivity with less operation costs. Prime in this segment of exhibitors was engine manufacturer Cummins.Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. G. K. Sharma, Senior General Manager-Marketing, Cummins and Mr. Vikram Jaisinghani, Vice President, Industrial Engine Business, Cummins, told, “the prime feature of Cummins engine is its power to weight ratio in the engine is balanced.” They mentioned that while size of the engine has been made contracted, the product has been made to produce maximum output.” This is essential to reduce the total load of the engine, so as to enable it manoeuvre during operation with greater flexibility.”
They informed, that the engineering department of Cummins have V.P.I ( value package integration) for its customers. VPI is a knowledge management programme. The knowledge management programme acts as a data bank support system. Based on this the engine is made customized as per the requirement of the original equipment manufacturers based on the construction application of the machines. V.P.I acts as a support system for Cummins to undertake innovation in its products. It is also the key element for Cummins to undertake R&D in its products.
Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. Mahesh Menon and Mr. Manoj Menon of Enginemates mentioned that the company’s products are much customized to meet the requirements of the customers. They pointed out that based on the requirement blade angle of the Enginemates' fans can be changed by the equipment users. They said that the design of the blades ensures less fuel consumption in the equipment. They said, as compared to sheet metal fans, fans manufactured by Enginemates through multiwing technology requires less power. Enginemates clients include, JCB, Telcon, L&T, Komatsu, Caterpillar, BEML, Cummins, and others.
He informed that Electromech’s cranes have significant features consisting of Programme Logic Control. This is to monitor various aspects of crane operation. Besides, the cranes have user based options with safety features in place. Electromech has its own industrial cranes. It is also the distributor of German made ABUS cranes in India. Electromech’s clients includes, JCB, Tata BlueScope Steel, Volvo etc. Electromech’s industrial cranes finds application for industrial application for lifting of plant and machinery, it also finds use in construction application for lifting of prefabricated items. Electromech’s cranes ranges from goliath cranes, used for construction application to special purpose cranes.
Crusher manufacturing major, also evinced its intention towards developing high capacity crushers for the market. Mr. Raju, MD, Nawa Engineers, mentioned that the Indian crushing market has been showing increasing demand of crushers above 500 TPH. He said, that Nawa’s focus would be to manufacture high capacity crushers, with rugged features for enhanced productivity. He mentioned that the company would manufacture products adding technology and design refinement. Nawa demonstrated its newly launched 300 TPH mobile crushers at the event.
Hi-tech Manufacturing Systems
Main in this category was MBA. MBA undertakes fabrication work of the track body, booms, arms, buckets for the original earthmoving equipment manufacturers. Speaking to NBM&CW, Col Himmat Sindhu, Executive Director, MBA said,“refinement in MBA products is based on its advanced manufacturing systems.” They pointed out that MBA factory as robotized welding system in place. This enabled the work to be undertaken and completed with greater accuracy. They said that accuracy is also provided by CNC machines, which are used to cut down plates during the manufacturing process.
Innovative & Rugged Products
Innovative products at display was Carter mini crawler excavators by AAA Construction Equipment. The mini excavators have an operating weight ranging from 4,200 kg-8,200 kg. The excavators can find increased application in municipal and urban renewal projects. The excavators have an edge over high capacity excavators owing to its less space requirement during operation.
AAA Construction equipment is the distributor of US made Carter mini excavators in India.
New products was also displayed by Proman. The crusher and screener manufacturer displayed its smart box for monitoring the performance of the crushers. The smart box can be attached to vertical shaft impactors.
Manufacturers to fill in the slot of rugged construction equipment was Taurus Engineering, the company displayed its wide range of Korean made hydraulic hammers.
Integrated Construction Solutions
Speaking on the features of the block making machine, Mr. Prashant Kumar, Polytech said, the fundamental feature of the high capacity block making machine is that it can be attached to concrete plants and have a high capacity to produce one lakh blocks per hour. The block making machines have a heavy duty structure and advanced electronics.
Manufacturer at the show to offer integrated construction solution through its products was KPK group. KPK offers industrial and concrete flooring solutions. Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. K. Karthikean, Director, KPK group informed that KPK produces wide range of floor construction equipment and floor construction materials. It also manufactures wide range of floor cutting tools.
Other Range of Products, Marketing & Distribution Tie Ups
Excon 2007 was also well–characterized by companies displaying wide range of products from their stable. Among this was Spartan Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd. Spartan showcased its bar bending and bar cutting machines. The company also displayed the tower cranes made under Chinese collaboration. Speaking to NBM&CW, Mr. Vikram Mehta, Managing Director, Spartan said, the idea to exhibit wide range of products by the company was to make it identify as wide range of construction equipment provider to the construction industry fraternity.Companies representing well knit distribution tie ups was also a major character of the event. In tune with this was W.B Engineers Pvt, Ltd. W.B Engineers, the distributor of Terex Finlay’s crushers and screeners in India. On the distribution tie up with Terex, Ms Marieta Barreta told the endeavor of WB Engineers would be to synergise its distribution tie up further with the company.
Scouting of larger business opportunities was also a reason of participation for companies. The idea of Italian piling major Mait was the same for participation. In all Excon 2007 served to be a complete platform for equipment manufacturers from selling of equipment to knowledge dissemination synthesized with business development.
NBM&CW January 2008
