Minister Rajeeve launches4cr wheel lathe machine

Kochi: The HMT Machine Tools Ltd at Kalamassery has developed a computer numerical control (CNC) surface wheel lathe, a machine that gives surface finishing touches to the wheels of axle wheel set with precision in eight minutes. Industries minister P Rajeeve on Sunday launched the machine, which will be transported to the workshop of the railways in Kharagpur by road after disbanding.The machine, developed by the research and development team in two years, costs Rs 4 crore.
“Currently, only a private company in the country is engaged in manufacturing such a machine. For each machine, they quote Rs 8 crore. As there is no competitor for them, the railway board is forced to give them the work. In view of this, the board had asked whether HMT can enter into this market. So, we manufactured the machine,” said HMT employees’ union secretary P Krishnadas.
He said the railway board officials also inspected the machine and were satisfied.
“We could prove that the machine can function without any glitches. Once the workers in Kharagpur start using it, HMT can enter in the quotation of the board and bag the work. This will also help HMT in the future,” he said.
The features of the machine include automatic loading and unloading of axle wheel sets, laser-based centering, condition monitoring system and improved part measurement.