SFO Technologies and Cochin Shipyard develop indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding technology

Summary

SFO Technologies, the flagship company of NeST Group, and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) have jointly developed India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) technology. The system combines high-power fibre laser technology, conventional arc welding, robotics and automation to improve welding speed, penetration and consistency. The technology is designed for applications across shipbuilding, defence, railways, heavy engineering and the energy sector.

Article

Advanced Laser Engineering Centre inaugurated in Kerala

SFO Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Cochin Shipyard Limited have unveiled an indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) system at the inauguration of the Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility at NeST Hitek Park in Kalamassery, Kerala.

The facility was inaugurated by Cochin Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Jose V. J. and SFO Technologies Chairman and Managing Director N. Jehangir.

The development marks a collaboration between the two companies to introduce an indigenously designed and manufactured welding platform for advanced industrial applications.

Hybrid Laser Arc Welding combines laser technology and automation

The HLAW system integrates laser welding with conventional arc welding, robotics and advanced automation. It is powered by a high-power fibre laser source developed by SFO Technologies.

The technology is designed to deliver higher welding speeds, deeper penetration, reduced distortion and improved weld consistency. Its potential applications extend beyond shipbuilding to defence, heavy engineering, railways, energy and other strategic manufacturing sectors.

The system can also be used in the fabrication of large industrial structures, including storage tanks and railway wagons, where welding productivity and structural consistency are important manufacturing requirements.

Indigenous technology targets shipbuilding and defence manufacturing

Welding is a critical process in ship construction, where production speed, structural integrity and repeatability influence overall manufacturing efficiency.

The introduction of the HLAW system could support shipbuilding operations by reducing welding time and distortion while improving the consistency of fabricated structures.

The development also addresses the need for domestic alternatives to imported laser welding platforms, particularly in high-end industrial manufacturing applications.

Commenting on the development, SFO Technologies Chairman and Managing Director N. Jehangir said, “By developing the high-power fiber laser source in-house and integrating it with advanced welding, robotics and automation, we have demonstrated that high-end manufacturing technologies can be conceived, engineered and built in India,”

Cochin Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Jose V. J. said, “Cochin Shipyard’s collaboration with SFO Technologies has enabled the joint development of a technology that is relevant to shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries. The Indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding has the potential to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness across Indian manufacturing,”

New facility to focus on laser technology research and commercialisation

The Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility will undertake research, testing and validation of advanced laser technologies, alongside activities aimed at their commercialisation.

The facility is intended to support the development of domestic industrial technology capabilities under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The collaboration also expands the scope for applying laser-based manufacturing technologies across India’s shipbuilding and other strategic industrial sectors.

FAQs

1. What is Hybrid Laser Arc Welding technology?

Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) combines laser welding and conventional arc welding in a single process, integrating robotics and automation to improve welding speed, penetration, consistency and production efficiency.

2. Which companies developed India’s indigenous HLAW technology?

SFO Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the flagship company of NeST Group, and Cochin Shipyard Limited jointly developed the indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding system.

3. Where was the new laser engineering facility inaugurated?

The Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility was inaugurated at NeST Hitek Park in Kalamassery, Kerala.

4. Which industries can use the new welding technology?

The technology is designed for applications in shipbuilding, defence, railways, heavy engineering, energy and other strategic manufacturing sectors, including the fabrication of large tanks and railway wagons.

5. What are the expected benefits of Hybrid Laser Arc Welding?

The technology is designed to provide faster welding speeds, deeper penetration, reduced distortion and improved weld consistency, potentially increasing manufacturing productivity and structural quality.