LMW integrates IoT for customer-specific solutions

By Staff Report January 2, 2025 11:24 am IST

LMW advances machining technology with automation, IoT integration, and modular designs, focusing on precision, cost efficiency, and customer-specific solutions, shares Indraneel Bhattacharya, Vice President of Sales and marketing at Lakshmi Machine Works Limited.

What are the latest developments in machining technology by LMW?

We have introduced several advancements to enhance machining technology’s efficiency, precision, and flexibility. We have integrated advanced automation features in our CNC machines, addressing the growing demand for precision and productivity. These machines include robotic handling systems and in-process measurement, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in high-volume production. Additionally, we have equipped our machines with IoT-enabled technology, allowing for real-time monitoring and data analytics. This aligns with Industry 4.0 standards and enables predictive maintenance, reducing machine downtime.

Our focus is on improving the performance of Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs) and Horizontal Machining Centers (HMCs). These machines offer increased rigidity, repeatability, and versatility, making them suitable for industries such as oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, die mould, and medical machining. Furthermore, we have developed large-size turning centres, turn-mill centres, and multi-axis machines catering to complex machining requirements. These solutions enhance productivity and reduce operational challenges, offering advanced capabilities for industries demanding high-performance machining.

How does your company balance cost and technology to provide value to customers?

Balancing cost and technology helps us deliver value to customers while staying competitive. We invest efficiently in R&D, focusing on modular machine designs that lower manufacturing costs without compromising quality. Indigenous manufacturing further supports cost reduction by sourcing raw materials and components locally, minimising import expenses, and ensuring cost-effective solutions for customers. Additionally, we employ value engineering practices to continuously improve machine designs and processes, enhancing functionality while optimising material usage to reduce production costs. By adopting a customer-centric approach, we try to understand the specific needs of various industries, enabling the development of machines that strike the perfect balance between affordability and technological advancement.

How does LMW ensure its products remain at the forefront of innovation for various industries?

Our focus is to address demands in automobile, aerospace, die mould, electronics, and medical machining. Our company’s R&D team focuses on developing advanced solutions like multi-axis machines and large turning and turn-mill centres to cater to these precision-driven sectors. We have machines with high rigidity and repeatability, capable of producing complex geometries and critical components for the automobile and aerospace industries. In the die mould sector, we provide solutions with superior surface finish and accuracy, meeting the intricate requirements of various applications. We deliver machines equipped with advanced control systems and high-speed capabilities for electronics and medical machining, where micro-level precision and tight tolerances are essential.

What steps is LMW taking to strengthen its position as a leader in the machine tool industry?

Our strong application engineering team works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions that meet their specific needs. The team focuses on understanding the unique challenges of industries such as automobile, aerospace, die mould, electronics, and medical machining, providing customised machine configurations that ensure precision, reliability, and efficiency.

To address the growing demand for customised solutions, we offer machines and a versatile range of products in horizontal and vertical Turning Centers, Machining centres, and TurnMill centres. They can handle complex machining tasks and critical components with ease of automation, gauging, and production-boosting accessories interface, offering customers the flexibility to adapt them to various applications.

We deliver innovative and customised solutions to solidify our position as a trusted partner in the machine tool industry. We maintain a strong focus on customer collaboration, application-specific solutions, and technological adaptability.

How is LMW adapting its machine tools to support smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0?

The growing demand for automation and precision has driven us to integrate several Industry 4.0 features into the product lineup. IoT-enabled machines facilitate real-time data collection and analysis, which enables predictive maintenance, minimises unplanned downtime, and ensures consistent machine performance. Advanced software solutions seamlessly integrate into LMW machines, allowing smooth connectivity to streamline operations. Furthermore, user-friendly interfaces featuring intuitive control panels and software make complex machining tasks easy to manage.