The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMDTC) of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is collaborating with Fifth Generation Technologies India to develop smart manufacturing solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The collaboration will centre on advanced research and development of smart manufacturing technologies for small and medium-sized businesses (SMM).

The AMDTC, an IIT Madras Centre of Excellence in Machine Tools and Production Technology, will collaborate with Fifth Generation Technologies India (P) Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of the Canadian-based 5G Group of Companies. They specialise in Smart Manufacturing solutions for manufacturers of all sizes, from small to large.

Professor N Ramesh Babu, Secretary, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC), IIT Madras, highlighted the unique aspects of this collaboration, saying, "Many SMMs have old machines that do not have controllers." We will turn such machines into smart machines by connecting them with IoT sensors and collecting real-time operational data.

The primary goal of this collaboration is to develop AI and Machine Learning-based techniques to drive real-time optimisation of various machining processes within SMM shops. This could aid in lowering operational costs and increasing efficiencies.

The models created through this collaboration will serve as the foundation for the further development of 'Digital Twins' that are suitable for and affordable to SMMs.