Engine Factory at Avadi gets new FMS

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037

Engine Factory at Avadi was the cynosure of all eyes on 21 January as new Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) was added there. The new facility was dedicated to the nation by Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Hari Mohan.

Sources from Defence Ministry said the addition of new FMS was done keeping in view the increasing demand for more Tanks and engine spares from Indian Army. General Manager of Engine Factory at Avadi R.Shyam Sunder said
addition of new FMS will help the Engine Factory to augment its production capacity of engines from 350 per annum to 750 per annum to help cater to the increasing demand of Indian Army.

The machine has four large CNC Machining centers connected by a common Rail Guided Vehicle for handling 40 pallets and 450 tools magazine. Any of the 20 types of V46, V92 and UTD Engine parts can be machined flexibly in any of the four machines by as decided by an advanced Host computer in unmanned mode.

In process gauging for critical dimensions,  Laser enabled Tool breakage detection system, Tool pre-setter, Compressor, advanced CNC controller, Coolant chiller, Temperature control and compensation, Hydraulically operated Fixture mechanism are some of the salient features of the machine.

The machine has interactive dashboard facility for planning, scheduling and monitoring the work progress on a real time basis. The FMS project has been ordered at the cost of Rs.148.4 crores saving about Rs.50 crore from the sanctioned cost. It was originally sanctioned at the cost of Rs.197.6 crores.

Engine Factory Avadi is the organization  dedicated to manufacturing fully indigenized engines for Indian Army’s Main Battle Tanks.