IIT Ropar Hosts Successful Sheet Metal Forming Conference
On December 9, 2024, IIT Ropar successfully hosted the Sheet Metal Forming (SMF) 2024 conference. This prestigious event attracted a diverse group of national and international delegates, including researchers, industry leaders, and scholars. The conference served as a vital platform for discussing advancements in metal forming technologies. Notable speakers from various IITs and leading industry partners participated, including Auto Form, Tata Steel, and Ford India. The event was organized by the Sheet Metal Forming Research Association (SMFRA) and aimed to foster collaboration between academia and industry.
Inaugural Ceremony and Keynote Addresses
The conference kicked off on December 5 with an inaugural ceremony that set the tone for the event. Prof. Anupam Agrawal, the Organizing Secretary from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Ropar, warmly welcomed attendees. This included speakers, members of SMFRA, and industry guests. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, the Director of IIT Ropar, expressed his best wishes for the conference’s success.
The highlight of the ceremony was the Rasquinha Memorial Lecture delivered by Chief Guest Dr. Santosh Kumar, Vice President of Jindal Stainless Ltd. He shared valuable insights into the latest advancements and challenges in sheet metal forming. Prof. K. Narasimhan, Secretary of SMFRA and a Professor at IIT Bombay, emphasized the critical challenges faced in metal forming research. He also underscored the importance of the SMF conference series in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Prof. Navin Kumar, Co-Organizing Secretary of SMF 2024.
Conference Highlights and Technical Sessions
The first day of the conference featured presentations from leading researchers and industry experts. They discussed the latest advancements in sheet metal forming, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of current trends and technologies. Day two was equally engaging, with technical sessions covering a range of topics. These included lightweight metal forming, hot forming for lightweight construction, and the challenges associated with skin panel forming.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with experts during these sessions, fostering an environment of knowledge exchange. The discussions were not only informative but also practical, addressing real-world challenges in the field. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in metal forming and the innovative solutions being developed to overcome these challenges.
Panel Discussion and Conclusion
A significant feature of SMF 2024 was a panel discussion held on the second day. Moderated by Mr. Avinash Khare, a consultant at Tool Maker’s Facility, the panel included distinguished experts such as Prof. Hariharan K. from IIT Madras and Mr. Prashant Kulkarni from Altair Engineering India Pvt. Ltd. This discussion provided a platform for experts to share their insights and experiences, further enriching the conference’s content.
The SMF 2024 conference concluded successfully, leaving a lasting impact on all participants. Organizing Secretary Prof. Anupam Agrawal and Co-Organizing Secretaries Prof. Navin Kumar and Prof. Ekta Singla received widespread appreciation for their efforts in organizing the event. The conference not only highlighted the current state of metal forming research but also paved the way for future collaborations and innovations in the field.
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