Jun 13, 2023
The Indian Institute of Science Challakere campus now has a cutting-edge autoclave for its Aerospace branch. The Skill Development Centre, the result of a unique collaboration between HAL and IISc, is anticipated to teach advanced manufacturing capabilities, particularly those used in the aerospace industry. The SDC’s mission is to build a large pool of qualified professionals to fill critical skill development gaps in our country, which are critical for economic growth and self-sufficiency. It offers hands-on workshops in subjects like Aerospace Engineering, Internet of Things (IoT), and CNC machining. The Advanced Composite Fabrication Testing and Evaluation facility, which features an aerospace grade autoclave commissioned by Chennai-based KRR Engineering Private Limited, is one of the SDC’s important facilities.
K R Ramaswamy, Chairman of KRR Engineering Private Limited, presented the equipment to Dr. J Ramaswamy Setty, Chief Scientist of the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), at IISC Bangalore’s Challakere Campus. Dr. M R Bhat, Chief Research Scientist of IISC’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, accepted the equipment on the institution’s behalf and made it available to the division’s students and technicians through IISC’s Skill Development Centre. This would considerably improve the students’ and technicians’ capabilities, allowing them to perform advanced research and on-the-job skill development in the field of aerospace grade composite fabrication.
Raghunandan, Prof. Prof. D N Rao, Convener of SDC Challakere Campus, and Dr. Subba Reddy, Convener SDC, Challakere Campus graced the occasion as Professor Emeritus who was essential in the construction of the IISc Challakere campus. Deivanai Ramaswamy, Director Finance, Sri Sakthivel Ramaswamy, CEO, and the KRR Engineering team were in attendance. Prof. Raghunandan and Dr. M R Bhat expressed gratitude to KRR for completing this advanced facility of aeronautical quality for the HAL-IISc Skill Development Centre. It is worth noting that KRR Engineering Private Limited is India’s first indigenous autoclave manufacturer. Previously, autoclaves were imported, but in partnership with the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), KRR has successfully created indigenous technology. The technology transfer was completed in 2018, and KRR is now in charge of autoclave marketing and manufacturing.
This achievement is a big step forward in India’s ability to manufacture aerospace-grade autoclaves. It shows the country’s progress in creating sophisticated research infrastructure, as well as collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutes in pushing the boundaries of aerospace research and development.
