Abhishek Gupta,
Deputy Manager – Special Process,
Godrej Aerospace
What made you choose welding as a career?
At the early stage of engineering itself I was having keen interest about the subject. After completing my Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in welding technology from Saint Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, I am glad to be a part of this prestigious industry.
Can you please brief us on your profile? How much of total experience do you have?
I am experienced Welding Engineer with 8 Years plus work experience in the aviation and aerospace industry. Proficient and experienced professional in production operation, manufacturing of aerospace precision components, estimation, product development in diverse manufacturing environment, welding techniques, applications, estimation and procedures, extensive knowledge of properties, product specification metallic and metal alloy characteristics.
Since you hold a vast experience in the welding segment, what is your say on the current welding market scenario? Is it on par with the international markets?
India is a growing market with great potential for welding industry. The major Indian welding sectors comprises mainly in the field of Automobile, Power, Defence and Aerospace and Oil and Gas. The recent ‘Make in India’ campaign has given boost to the industry and therefore there are shift in technological enhancement in terms of machine and material being used in these industries.
India is undergoing drastic change in overall lookout towards the industry and working towards indenisation of many products in Aerospace and Defence sector to name a few. This will require advance and sophisticated technology, skilled manpower, advance welding techniques and procedure to meet international quality. The horizon and the range of vision have been increased with the success of both Mangal Yaan and ChandraYaan 2 mission. With this, we can say that India is accelerating day by day and will come out with flying colours.
We are almost in line with the international market as we see there is a substantial grow in attracting international OEM’sWhat according to you is required to boost the welding industry in India?
Although the welding industry has also been affected due to this pandemic nevertheless, we are noticing the growth trajectory of Indian welding industry a drastic increment in sectors like Aerospace& Defence, Power and Automobile sectors.
The future of the welding industry in India seems to be promising and may even set its new level of success. However, we need to take benefits from the couple of scheme like the one major contributor is “Make in India” campaign. Drive benefits from the foreign investors or FDI and focusing on advancement of Industrial 4.0 concepts.Technological innovations will allow enterprises to make better use of human skills and innovation. Thus, we need to make better condition for workers who are adding direct value to the product.
What are your expectations from the government for the upliftment of the welding segment?
Welding is a vast subject which requires extensive knowledge of metals, metallurgy and its welding methods. Surprisingly, as far as welding is concerned, there is no basic welding research centre in India, except Welding Research Institute (WRI) in Tiruchirappalli, India and Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET) in Sangrur, Punjab, India. These two institutes provide fundamental trainings and academic degrees. We acutely need to have more government established or government supported welding research centre. The welding industry is facing lot of challenges. Government need to promote this particular education from the root itself to benefit entire welding segment in the coming years.
What type of projects have you worked upon, so far?
As a professional Welding Engineer, in the initial days of my career I have worked in Oil & Gas sector where I have hands on experience in API 5L grade pipelines used for cross country pipelines for crude oil supply. The major projects were the one for Saudi Aramco, Shell & Trans Canada to name a few.
Presently, I have been working in the Aerospace & Defence industry where welding of exotic material is itself is a great challenge. Projects like BrahMos, Eaton Jet Pump (Airbus 380), Welders training programme development and automation in production line are few major projects that I have worked upon so far.
Can you describe on some of the welding technologies established by you in the successful completion of a project?
At Godrej Aerospace, we had been working on manufacturing Bi-Metallic adaptors of different sizes and geometry. In the indigenous process of BrahMos, we considered Friction welding is one of the potential welding process which were never used in the assembly and manufacturing of BrahMos. We took this project as a challenge and started working with Friction Welding Technology, Pune. Various Bimetallic adaptors for BrahMos Missile were manufactured by deep drawn method earlier developed with Russian design. After successful trials and clearing all testing stages Friction Welding Technology is found potential technology to manufacture critical components for BrahMos.
What are your main considerations during the preparation of RFQ for equipment and consumables?
Firstly, we should understand the application where the required equipment and consumables to be used. Deep diving about the need of project will give insight for resources that will require in order to meet the requirements. Any RFQ related to equipment and consumables must includeSelection criteria, Design requirements, Product specification, Application range, Industrial 4.0 feasibility, Interface with existing modules, Delivery and submission requirements and Payment terms & conditions.
Can you please elaborate more on NADCAP. What are the NADCAP requirements for any project?
NADCAP (The National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is a global cooperative accreditation program for aerospace engineering, defense and related industries.
NADCAP is industry managed approach to conformity assessment of ‘Special Process.’ It brings together technical experts from prime contractors, suppliers and representative from government to work together and establish requirements for approval of suppliers using a standardized approach. This isn’t like other third party certification like QMS certification, NADCAP approval is purely granted based on industry agreement.
NADCAP requirements for any project depends upon the type of special processes involve in manufacturing product of that project. Again it depends from customer to customer and their requirements.
What is your say on safety at work?
‘Remember your safety ABC’s: Always Be Careful.’ Everyone should develop the habit of thinking about safety during a work, on the way home, at home or on vacation. It means taking the time to recognize the hazards and taking the appropriate steps to protect yourself, your fellow colleagues, family and friends.
Develop a safety work culture at all places, focus on employee training and empowerment, hazard identification and control system, focus on compliance and continuous improvement.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I see myself as a Principle Consultant for driving overall project. I want to keep learning with my experiences and grow continually with anenthusiastic team.
Closing message.
Skill development is one of the major challenges in the current industry. There is a demand of upgrading the Indian welding sector to a whole new level in terms of academics, training and development in order to meet the demands of Fourth Industrial Revolution.
