Lakshmi Machine Work’s (LMW) Advanced Technology Centre is set to foray into the production of components and sub-assemblies made of carbon composites for the aerospace sector, a senior company official said.
The centre, which was started as a division of LMW in 2009-2010, will see an investment of approximately ₹50 crore towards this project and production is expected to start by August, said the official at the centre, on condition of anonymity.
The centre currently makes critical parts for aerostructures and engines and is a tier-one supplier to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for engines.
“We are giving a good focus to this division now,” said the official. “We are diversifying into components made of light material composites.”
The official added that aircraft companies are moving towards use of composites as there is a thrust on fuel efficiency. There is an opportunity to supply components made of composites for launch vehicles, aircraft, and helicopters.
“We can meet the needs of the aeronautics and space sectors,” he said.
Profitable division
LMW has so far invested ₹70 in the centre, said another company official, who did not wish to be identified. The division had registered a profit last fiscal, he said.
With regard to the textile machinery division of LMW, the official said domestic demand remained flat. However, exports had been good and contributed 21 % of the total turnover. Automation would be the next big stage in textile machinery, he said.