My visit to the IMTEX 2024 Exhibition in Bengaluru was a valuable experience, especially the opportunity to speak with Mr. Sridhar Dharmarajan (DS), EVP & MD of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence India, at their booth.
In an exclusive interview with DailyCADCAM, DS provided a detailed overview of Hexagon’s extensive product portfolio and its applications across the product development lifecycle. He emphasized the role of simulation in early design phases and explored topics including metrology, smart manufacturing, AI, ML, EVs, startup support, and additive manufacturing. DS further discussed the adoption of these technologies, the competitive landscape, and Hexagon’s focus on academic training.
What are the anticipated trends in design and manufacturing for 2024, and how do you perceive Indian companies aligning with these trends?
At Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, our focus is clear: empowering manufacturers with intelligent solutions. We offer a comprehensive digital design and manufacturing platform that allows clients to simulate scenarios and test variables virtually, achieving optimal results from the start.
Our expertise extends beyond digital design. We use Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) to ensure the physical product matches the digital vision, bridging the gap between design and production. This alignment between digital design and physical production is at the core of our mission at Hexagon.
For us, manufacturing starts with design. Key decisions about materials and production methods occur early on. By integrating design, manufacturing, and quality control, we streamline processes and guarantee consistency.
Looking at the broader picture, India’s manufacturing landscape is booming. Increased domestic and private investment, coupled with global supply chain shifts, position India to become a manufacturing giant, mirroring China’s success. Manufacturing not only fuels economic growth but also creates jobs, a crucial factor for India’s young population.
In terms of industry trends, we see rapid growth in electronics, medical equipment, aerospace, and the energy sector, alongside traditional powerhouses like automotive. This presents a unique chance for India to become a high-tech manufacturing leader.
Overall, we feel that the future of Indian manufacturing is bright, with electronics production leading the charge. We’re excited to contribute to India’s industrial and economic rise through our innovative solutions.
Does Hexagon provide a comparable platform like Siemens’ Xcelerator and Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE platforms, where all necessary tools can be integrated?
Last year, we unveiled Nexus—a versatile platform designed to accommodate not only the Hexagon Technologies but also legacy and competitor technologies. Nexus aims to be your one-stop shop, offering a single platform for design, manufacturing, and measurement. Unlike the closed systems from Dassault and Siemens, Nexus embraces an open ecosystem, seamlessly integrating Hexagon technologies alongside existing tools and even those from competitors, thus fostering collaboration across diverse toolsets.
Since its launch, driven by a key partnership with Microsoft, Nexus has seen rapid adoption. We’re committed to its evolution as the manufacturing industry’s unified platform, driving collaboration and efficiency throughout the entire process.
What are your perspectives on the implications of artificial intelligence for CAE, particularly focusing on its predominant impact?
In my opinion, Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) by leveraging the power of data. After all, AI thrives on data-driven design, simulation, and manufacturing.
Imagine a company with years of simulation data. AI can analyze this data to rapidly run simulations, exploring numerous variations and delivering accurate results quickly. Consider a car manufacturer testing crashworthiness. Traditionally, a single frontal impact simulation might take five days. Testing 100 variations could take a staggering 500 days! However, AI algorithms can analyze existing crash data to predict potential failures in new designs. This allows engineers to focus their resources on just the promising variations, significantly accelerating the development process.
By harnessing vast amounts of design and simulation data, AI can dramatically reduce product development timelines. This transformative potential then underscores AI’s power to reshape the CAE landscape.
What is the extent of Hexagon’s involvement in the electric vehicle (EV) sector?
Hexagon plays a key role in the booming electric vehicle (EV) sector, offering solutions from concept to end-of-life. Our dedicated Applied Solutions Team provides specialized expertise to EV manufacturers, including startups.
EV development is a dynamic field with ongoing innovation. Unlike replicating existing technologies in internal combustion engines, EV presents a unique opportunity. We offer extensive tools and domain knowledge to support EV research, design, and manufacturing.
Furthermore, strategic partnerships like the one with Altium leverage cloud-based solutions to promote sustainability in EV electronics. With a focus on batteries, thermal management, and cooling, Hexagon is well-equipped to be your partner throughout the entire EV development journey.
How does Hexagon support SMEs in India, particularly those who may not have access to or affordability for the right tools?
Hexagon recognizes the critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India’s manufacturing future. To bridge the technology gap, we’ve partnered with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bangalore to establish a Centre of Excellence for Industry 4.0. This initiative includes a Smart Manufacturing Development and Demonstration Cell (SMDDC).
The SMDDC serves as a training ground for SMEs. Here, they can experience the entire Industry 4.0 process firsthand, boosting their confidence to implement these practices within their businesses. We’re actively expanding this initiative by partnering with institutions nationwide to create similar centers across India.
These centers go beyond smart manufacturing, encompassing areas like electric vehicles (EVs). They function as mini-factories, equipped with cutting-edge technology to provide SMEs with hands-on learning and experimentation opportunities.
Our goal is to empower SMEs to embrace technology and modernize their operations. By providing access to these advanced facilities, we believe SMEs can play a key role in achieving India’s ambitious manufacturing goals, including a $1 trillion GDP and significant overall economic growth. Importantly, our approach is adaptable, allowing SMEs to start small, digitize gradually, and customize their technology adoption based on their unique needs.
What are your perspectives on the state of 3D printing in India, especially considering the growth of the additive manufacturing sector and the prevalent challenge of companies not progressing beyond prototyping due to the underutilization of simulation tools in design processes?
Certainly, Hexagon’s Simufact Additive is driving a surge in simulation for additive manufacturing. Simulation is crucial, as material waste can be very expensive, especially in metal printing. In industries like aerospace, where cost reduction is paramount, additive manufacturing is becoming essential. By embracing both additive manufacturing and simulation tools, companies can gain a competitive edge and drive innovation.
At Hexagon, we educate practitioners and collaborate with key Indian service providers to integrate simulation into their projects. By predicting the printing process accurately, Simufact Additive helps companies avoid costly errors and optimize workflows.
The benefits are substantial. One client eliminated 3D printing failures, achieving success on the first try and saving significant time and material.
Are there any forthcoming plans for the launch of PLM software by your company? Additionally, what is the current status of BricsCAD’s performance in the Indian market?
At Hexagon, we prioritize collaboration over competition in established markets. We believe strong partnerships with existing leaders, especially in PLM software, are essential to deliver comprehensive solutions to our clients.
Our acquisition of BricsCAD exemplifies this approach. BricsCAD is a powerful and cost-effective alternative to traditional 2D and 3D CAD software, finding favor in architecture, civil engineering, EPC, and mechanical industries—further strengthening our asset lifecycle management capabilities.
While BricsCAD’s success in India’s manufacturing sector is promising, we’re actively expanding our reseller network to unlock its full potential.
In essence, Hexagon prioritizes collaboration with leaders across CAD, CAM, CAE, and PLM domains to provide our clients with a holistic suite of solutions that streamline their workflows.
How do you intend to strategize and plan for your upcoming endeavors in India?
As of January 1st, 2024, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence India became a distinct region within Hexagon, reflecting a strong commitment from our leadership. This strategic move positions us for significant investments and increased focus. Our ambitious yet achievable goal? To double our revenue every three years, with aspirations to accelerate even faster.
A key driver of this growth is the expansion of our metrology product portfolio. We’ll not only enhance existing offerings but also develop and establish greenfield factories in India. This region is a strategic priority, mirroring China’s current contribution of 27% to our global business. While India’s share is currently in the single digits, we envision it reaching or surpassing China’s significance within Hexagon. This ambitious vision fuels our call for substantial investments, and we’re committed to making it a reality.
Could you provide insights into your reseller or partner network in India?
Our reseller network is the backbone of our success, especially in design and engineering, where we’ve seen fantastic collaboration. While we’ve made inroads into production, the vast Indian market holds immense potential.
Imagine a Hexagon partner in every one of India’s 677 districts! This ambitious vision, to establish at least one reseller in each district, underscores our belief in the power of our partners to drive growth. Direct expansion has limitations, and our robust reseller network is key to scaling our business across India. This strategy is critical to achieving our ambitious growth targets, mirroring those we’ve seen in China.
How crucial is it for Indian companies to prioritize the development of high-quality products and utilize cutting-edge tools in metrology to position themselves as the manufacturing capital of the world?
For India to become a global manufacturing leader, a shift from “Jugaad” innovation to a relentless focus on quality is essential. Without a strong quality culture, competing internationally is impossible. Hexagon is committed to empowering Indian manufacturers on this journey.
We offer a range of tools, from Q-DAS for component quality to Quality Management Systems (QMS) for managing quality throughout the product lifecycle. QMS goes beyond organization; it fosters continuous improvement and smarter practices. These tools enforce established processes, minimizing deviations and ensuring quality outputs.
A current challenge is engineers bypassing these processes. Hexagon advocates for technology that enforces discipline and adherence to quality standards at every stage.
Our vision at IMTEX 2024 – “connected quality” – highlights the importance of quality from concept to end-of-life. Through Metrology Solutions, we promote disciplined process adherence, building a culture of quality across Indian manufacturing.
What message do you have for our readers, particularly fresh engineering graduates entering the workforce? Additionally, what skills do they need to cultivate for a successful career?
India is poised to become a global skills powerhouse. Our year-round agricultural potential and abundant engineering talent position us to lead in diverse sectors. The skills needed for success in today’s disruptive tech landscape are universal. To thrive, India must focus on Industry 4.0, digitalization, IoT, AI, and ML.
These skills will not only enhance domestic employability but also make Indian professionals highly sought-after globally. India has the potential to be a job creator, not just for its citizens, but for the world.
To bridge the skills gap, initiatives like skill centers, college partnerships, and centers of excellence are flourishing across the country. Skilling our youth is not just crucial for economic prosperity, but also for social well-being. Unaddressed, a skills gap could lead to social challenges.
Government-funded skill development centers in various states represent a critical step forward. Investing in skilling is not just essential, it’s the key to unlocking India’s full potential as a global leader.
I extend my gratitude to Mr. Sridhar Dharmarajan (DS) for the insightful discussion. If you have any questions for him or DailyCADCAM, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us via email at sachin@dailycadcam.com. We are more than happy to provide answers and further information.
– Sachin R. Nalawade | +91 8806214040
