In the 2024 edition of the Die & Mould India Exhibition, over 300 exhibitors from 15+ countries showcased the latest advancements in the tooling industry across 25,000 sqm. With India’s diverse sectors driving growth, the industry is poised for double-digit expansion. Over 38,000 visitors from 15 sectors attended the event, signalling immense potential. The success of Die & Mould India 2024 promises abundant opportunities ahead for the Indian tooling industry.

The 13th Die & Mould India International Exhibition held from February 14-17, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, was a grand success. Hosted by the Tool & Gauge Manufacturers Association of India (TAGMA), the biennial event showcased various technological developments for the booming die and mould industry. It highlighted the opportunities and challenges and provided a platform for toolmakers to learn from the user industry

The inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony The exhibition's inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed guests-Guest of Honour Mr. Sachin Kulkarni, Executive Director - Corporate Procurement & Member of Board, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Jim Walsh, Vice President - Tooling, Tata Electronics, joined Mr. Devaraya M. Sheregar, President of TAGMA India, and Mr. D. Shanmugasundaram, Vice President of TAGMA India, alongside other dignitaries. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the esteemed guests marked the auspicious beginning of the exhibition. Extending a heartfelt welcome to everyone present at the opening ceremony, Mr. Sheregar said: "As we gather here today, it is important to reflect on the current state of the Indian tooling industry and the opportunities that lie ahead. Over the past two years, the Indian toolmaking sector has witnessed remarkable growth and achievements. According to the recently released Indian tooling report, the estimated market size of the Indian tooling industry stands at approximately INR 23,600 crore, underscoring the immense potential of our industry. However, there is still considerable room for improvement, particularly when considering that around 34% of the tooling demand is currently met through imports. It is imperative that we collectively target these areas for improvement and work towards reducing our dependence on imports." Mr. Sheregar also acknowledged the crucial role initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous manufacturing and fostering innovation will play in driving the growth and competitiveness of the industry. He called upon OEMs to collaborate with TAGMA in building a more robust and competitive tooling ecosystem in India.

Mr. Kulkarni highlighted India's remarkable economic growth, crediting the government's significant progress towards sustainable development. Emphasising the need for sustainable self-reliance, he underscored the Indian auto industry's substantial 7% contribution to the nation's GDP. Commending the resilience of the supply chain industry, Mr. Kulkarni celebrated its growth from 2.3 million before COVID to an impressive 4.1 million, with a projected rise to 6-6.5 million by 2030. He attributed this success to the expanding middle class and easy access to finance, propelling the Indian auto industry to become the third-largest globally. As a global OEM, Mr. Kulkarni emphasized the expectations from the tooling industry: quality and commitment. In closing, he expressed "the need for continued support from the tooling fraternity, acknowledging their pivotal role in sustaining and advancing India's automotive growth story". Mr. Walsh shed light on India's matured automotive sector and the burgeoning electronic sector, emphasising the need for a focused approach. He said: "India's Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry is growing rapidly and the companies are on the lookout for vendors. The geopolitical shifts are driving EMS to Southeast Asia and India. The world is looking towards India with hope; but companies moving their operations to India have four key expectations-speed, accuracy, innovation, and capacity. Unfortunately, Indian toolmakers are not prepared to cater to the kinds of demands they have. I urge Indian toolmakers to rise to the occasion and focus on skill development for their employees, enhance the capacity of their shop floor, focus on manufacturing accuracy and meet delivery timelines, among other aspects. India needs to seize the opportunity and bridge the existing gap."

ZECHA and Sumitomo announced technical collaboration

ZECHA, a prestige precision cutting tool company, and Sumitomo, renowned as one of the top precision cutting tool organisations in the world, announced their technical collaboration for regrinding operations in Maharashtra, at DMI 2024. ZECHA and Sumitomo have been technically collaborating for a long time globally, and both companies were confident about the mutual integrity as well as technical level and direction even before the start of Sumitomo's operation in India in 2023. To maximise the performance that Sumitomo cutting tools can deliver, the high-quality regrinding- recoating capability is a must to eventually realise the cost per piece for customers, especially for precision round tools. Besides, quick delivery, which customers expect, is a key factor. The official start of the regrinding service will be April 1, 2024. The details shall be communicated through SHIN's respective authorised distributors in the region.

‘B2B PAVILLION’ advantage for toolmakers, Tier-1s, and OEMs

Recognising the pivotal role of communication in forging successful partnerships, TAGMA organised the 'B2B PAVILLION', a ground-breaking forum aimed at facilitating direct dialogue between toolmakers, OEMs, and tier-1 firms. The 'B2B PAVILLION'-the brainchild of TAGMA's management - successfully bridged the communication chasm by enabling face-to-face interactions between toolmakers, OEMs, and tier-1 firms. At DMI 2024, the 'B2B PAVILLION' facilitated over ten prominent OEMs and tier-1 companies who were actively seeking partnerships with over 30 toolmakers. The participating delegates included industry giants such as Ather Energy, ABB, Tata Electronics, TAFE, IAC Group, Siemens, and others, representing a diverse spectrum of manufacturing sectors. Mr. B. K. Das, Manager - Tooling (South Asia/ Europe), SMR Automotive Systems India Limited, said: "I participated in the 'B2B Pavillion' for the second time. The 'B2B Pavillion' is an excellent initiative undertaken by TAGMA India." Ultimately, the overarching goal of the 'B2B PAVILLION' is to catalyse the growth of the Indian manufacturing sector by fostering a conducive environment for toolmakers and companies to converge, collaborate, and drive innovation forward.

Mr. Shanmugasundaram subsequently delved into some of the trends shaping the industry. He said: "The tooling industry is diversifying beyond the automotive sector into emerging industries such as toy making, consumer durables, and aerospace, defence, and space. These sectors present lucrative opportunities for expansion and risk mitigation. The pandemic highlighted the importance of digital solutions, leading tooling companies to adopt advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency and productivity. Besides, with global customers demanding high precision and fast turnaround, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies is imperative for Indian companies to remain competitive. Also, to meet the evolving customer demands, continuous skill development is essential for tooling professionals to stay updated with the latest technologies and practices." He urged: "Together, let us navigate these trends, capitalise on opportunities, and collectively contribute to the growth and evolution of the tooling industry in India."

Korean Pavilion debuts at DMI 2024

For the first time, Die & Mould India featured a dedicated Korean Pavilion at its 13th edition, highlighting the technological prowess of 12 leading Korean companies. These esteemed Korean firms leveraged DMI as a platform to showcase their advanced capabilities, sought strategic partnerships, and explored growth opportunities in the Indian market. With a wealth of experience and technical expertise in tool and die- making, these companies were eager to engage with potential customers and business partners, with a particular focus on meeting Indian OEMs. The Korean Pavilion, a hub of innovation and collaboration, offered visitors a first-hand glimpse into the latest advancements in tooling solutions. Here, attendees interacted with industry experts, explored cutting-edge technologies, and forged mutually beneficial relationships with Korean manufacturers.

Products launches galore

The four-day event showcased various technological developments for the booming die and mould industry. Here’s a glimpse into a few such launches:

• TruMould 30-second Quote Generator:

The inaugural day of Die & Mould India (DMI) 2024 witnessed a ground-breaking moment. TAGMA President Mr. Devaraya M. Sheregar unveiled the TruMould Instant Quote Generator. It is the first time in the history of India that such a tool was made available in the public domain for free. Disrupting the quoting process, TruMould promises to revolutionise the tooling business with its innovative technology. TruMould simplifies the quoting process into two easy steps: Step 1: Upload the 3D Step file. Step 2: Select the material, quantity. and surface finish. Leveraging advanced algorithms and Generative Al, the platform instantly generates accurate quotations for various applications, including insert moulding, thin- wall injection moulding, and over moulding, TruMould's debut at DMI 2024 underscores the industry's commitment to embracing digital transformation and driving innovation. As the tooling landscape evolves, TruMould has bought an innovative solution for Proto Tooling as well.

• STM's VFX400 5-Axis Vertical Machining Centre:

TAGMA President Mr. Devaraya M. Sheregar unveiled STM's latest innovation, the STM VFX400 5-Axis Vertical Machining Center (VMC), at Die & Mould India 2024. STM is a leader in machining solutions. The VFX400 sets a new standard in precision manufacturing, offering ground-breaking capabilities designed to elevate machining benchmarks. Engineered for complexity, the STM VFX400 excels at intricate tasks on diverse surfaces, revolutionising modern machining benchmarks. Its multi-sided machining capability significantly reduces setup times, eliminating the need for multiple repositionings and streamlining production processes. Industries with the highest precision demands, including aerospace, medical, automotive, die & mould, and consumer electronics, find a perfect ally in the VFX400, which can craft high-strength components, intricate medical devices, fuel-efficient vehicle parts, and sleek consumer electronics with unmatched precision. The VFX400 aligns seamlessly with the manufacturers' pursuit of efficiency in the era of automation. Continuous technological advancements, including improved control systems and cutting-edge toolpath optimisation software, ensure accessibility and user- friendliness for operators. AMS DTC 400XL-20 for Graphite component machining: Ace Designers - Machining Center Division from Ace Micromatic Group - showcased the DTC 400XL-20, a machine tailored for graphite component machining, featuring a high- end Mitsubishi controller. This precise, compact, and cost-competitive machine is equipped with features ideal for high-precision graphite machining. With a spindle speed of 20,000 rpm, it boasts special telescopic covers, ball screws, LM guideways, and a spindle air curtain to guard against dust. Additionally, it includes a die and mould kit for seamless operation, twin arm ATC with magazine isolation door, and an air gun suitable for graphite machining. The DTC 400 XL-20 Graphite is a high-speed drill tap center equipped with high-precision special ball screws, LM guideways, and telescopic covers, enhancing user-friendliness and tailored for graphite applications.

DMI 2024 ended on a high note

The 13th edition of Die & Mould India had approximately 38,000 visitors from the automotive, aerospace, electronics, die & mould, machine tools, heavy engineering, plastics, packaging, consumer goods, toy making and medical, among other industries. This diverse participation provided valuable insights for toolmakers, helping them to understand the demand trends and expectations across various sectors. Of the 38,000, 48% comprised decision-makers. This edition of Die & Mould India also saw a 15% increment in floor space and exhibitor count. Delighted with the response, Mr. Sheregar said: "As the Die & Mould India exhibition concluded on a resounding note, we're thrilled to witness the overwhelming response from exhibitors and attendees alike. It's a testament to the potential of India's tooling industry. We're proud to have facilitated this platform for industry growth and collaboration."