International Seminar on Forming Technology

International Seminar on Forming Technology 2026 Concludes with Strong Focus on Next-Gen Forming Technologies 

 
International Seminar on Forming Technology 2026, organised by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) on 22 and 23 January 2026 at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru, concluded successfully, with 210 delegates in attendance. Delegates from Automotive and Auto components, Automation, R&D, Construction Equipment, Defence, Marine, Medical Equipment, Tool-Room, Aerospace, Consumer Durables, General Engineering and Machine Tools attended.

The seminar brought together manufacturing industry leaders, technology providers, academia and policymakers to discuss the future of sheet metal forming and smart manufacturing.

The seminar was inaugurated by Mr. F.R. Singhvi, Joint Managing Director, Sansera Engineering Limited, Dr. Karthik Krishnamurthy, Director-Operations and COO, Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. and Ingrid Rasquinha, Joint Managing Director, Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Vikram Salunke, Vice President - IMTMA, shared the dais.

The first day of the seminar featured sessions on

• Agentic Digital Twins for Intelligent Sheet Metal Forming,
• Digital Edge to Traditional Metal Forming
• Tube Hydroforming of Next-Gen Automotive Exhaust Parts
• Current Implementation of Additive Manufacturing in the Indian Aerospace Sector and its Critical Qualifications
• Ultra-high Strength Steel (UHSS) Sheet Metal Parts Development Strategies, and Automation and Robotics for Press Lines.

 On the second day, there was a panel discussion on “Driving India’s Manufacturing Competitiveness: Role of Advanced Forming Technologies in the Era of Smart Manufacturing”.

This was followed by technical sessions:

• Press hardening – History and Trends, Smart Laser Welding: From Handheld Systems to Robotic & Cobot Automation
• Optimizing Tool Steel and PVD Coatings for Efficient High-Tensile Sheet Forming with Reduced Lubricant
• Friction Assisted Technology Machines for Parts Manufacturing & Research
• High-Strength Aluminium 7000 Series Sheetmetal: Analysing the Demand, Manufacturing Constraints, and Roadmap for Indigenous Production
• Joining Dissimilar Metals through Welding Solutions for Mixed Materials
• Improving Energy Efficiency in Metal Forming through Advanced Press Design and Automation

Over two days, the seminar featured in-depth technical sessions on various facets of forming technologies. The presentations covered cutting-edge topics such as digital twins, advanced forming processes, high-performance presses, additive manufacturing, automation and robotics, smart laser welding, and more. The seminar once again reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for advancing forming technologies and accelerating India’s transition towards smart, competitive, and sustainable manufacturing.

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