Ropar: The prestigious Sheet Metal Forming (SMF) 2024 conference, hosted by IIT Ropar, concluded successfully, attracting a diverse gathering of national and international delegates. Organized under the flagship of the Sheet Metal Forming Research Association (SMFRA), the two-day event brought together researchers, industry leaders, and academicians to explore advancements in metal forming technologies.
The conference commenced on December 5 with an inaugural ceremony featuring prominent speakers and guests. Prof. Anupam Agrawal, Organizing Secretary of SMF 2024 and faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Ropar, welcomed the attendees. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, extended his best wishes, followed by an address from Dr. Prabhat K. Agnihotri, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chairman of the conference.
The Rasquinha Memorial Lecture was delivered by Chief Guest Dr. Santosh Kumar, Vice President of Jindal Stainless Ltd., who provided valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in sheet metal forming. Prof. K. Narasimhan, Secretary of SMFRA and a professor at IIT Bombay, emphasized the importance of bridging academia and industry to overcome key challenges in the field.
The conference showcased contributions from industry leaders such as Autoform, Tata Steel, Tata Technologies Ltd., Ford India, Felss System GmbH, and JBM Auto Ltd., alongside researchers from leading academic institutions. Day 1 included technical presentations on cutting-edge advancements, while Day 2 focused on specialized sessions covering lightweight metal forming, hot forming for lightweight construction, and challenges in skin panel forming.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Avinash Khare, Consultant at Tool Maker’s Facility, India. The panel featured experts like Prof. Hariharan K. (IIT Madras), Mr. Prashant Kulkarni (Altair Engineering), Dr. Rahul Kumar (Tata Steel), and Prof. Ekta Singla (IIT Ropar). The discussion delved into the future of metal forming research and practical applications in the industry.
The biennial conference, supported by Platinum Sponsors AutoForm and Electropneumatics & Hydraulics and Silver Sponsor Altair Engineering India Pvt. Ltd., served as a platform for exchanging innovative ideas and fostering collaboration.