CMTI to have second underground facility by September

BENGALURU: By September, the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) will have its second underground facility, which will see as many as 11 laboratories of its Nano Manufacturing Technology Centre (NMTC) set up 10 metres below the ground.
This will be the second such facility (the institute already has two labs set up six metres below the ground) in Peenya here and scientists associated with the project say this’d mark many firsts in the country.
“When we built the lab six metres underground it was pegged to be the first such lab in Southeast Asia. I remember presentations being made in Singapore about this,” said S Satish Kumar, joint director, CMTI.
Although the department of atomic energy and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre facilities have been underground in several places in India, scientists claim this is different given that this would be used to manufacture machines and tools. The CMTI, which has been quietly championing Make in India, does research, develops technologies and machines that are ready to be deployed in industries.
It’s core areas are ultra precision machine tools, special purpose machines, sensors and controllers, textile machinery, aircraft line replacement units (LRUs) and test rigs, precision metrology, smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
Besides, it also provides industry employable manpower (skilling and reskilling) training, does technology transfer and incubation.
From strategic agencies like Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to MSMEs and other industries, CMTI has supplied tools and machinery to a variety of customers since 1965.
Why Underground?
Explaining why the labs need to be put underground, Prakash Vinod, HOD, NMTC, said: “Given the precision with which we will be working, it’s important that we avoid any kind of vibration. We are surrounded by a highway, a Metro train service and a traditional train, all of which cause significant vibration. Also, it is easier to control temperature underground, which is also essential.”
A team of scientists visited the US to understand state-of-the-art methods to construct underground labs, and the new one, when ready, will be among the best in the world.
CMTI director Nagahanumaiah said the institute is also part of Samarth Udyog Bharat 4.0, a smart industry initiative, 80% of which will be funded by the department of heavy industries (DHI) and the rest has to come from the industry.