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 an indigenously designed and manufactured Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) system. The technology combines high-power fibre laser welding, conventional arc welding, robotics and automation to improve welding speed, penetration and consistency. The system is intended for applications across shipbuilding, defence, railways, heavy engineering and the energy sector.

Article

SFO Technologies and Cochin Shipyard unveil indigenous HLAW system

SFO Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Cochin Shipyard Limited have jointly developed an indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) system, unveiled during 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 collaboration aims to introduce a domestically developed welding platform for advanced industrial manufacturing, with particular relevance to shipbuilding and other strategic sectors.

Hybrid Laser Arc Welding integrates laser technology and automation

The HLAW system combines laser welding with conventional arc welding, robotics and advanced automation. It uses a high-power fibre laser source developed in-house by SFO Technologies.

The technology is designed to increase welding speeds, achieve deeper penetration, minimise distortion and improve weld consistency. These capabilities could support manufacturing processes where structural integrity, precision and production efficiency are critical.

Beyond shipbuilding, the system has potential applications in defence manufacturing, railway production, heavy engineering and the energy industry. It can also be deployed in the fabrication of large industrial structures, including storage tanks and railway wagons.

Indigenous welding platform targets shipbuilding and defence sectors

Welding plays a significant role in ship construction, particularly in the fabrication of large structural sections. Production speed, weld quality and dimensional accuracy directly influence manufacturing efficiency and construction timelines.

The HLAW system is intended to address these requirements by combining laser and arc welding processes to improve productivity and reduce welding-related distortion.

The development also represents a domestic alternative to imported laser welding platforms for advanced industrial applications.

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,”

Advanced Laser Engineering Centre to support research and commercialisation

The newly inaugurated Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility will focus on research, testing and validation of laser-based technologies, alongside activities aimed at their commercialisation.

The facility is expected to support further development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The collaboration also creates scope for wider deployment of advanced laser engineering technologies across shipbuilding, defence and other industrial manufacturing segments in India.

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. Integrated with robotics and automation, it is designed to improve welding speed, penetration, consistency and manufacturing 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 and the energy sector. It can also be used to fabricate large industrial structures such as storage tanks and railway wagons.

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

The technology is designed to increase welding speeds, achieve deeper penetration, reduce distortion and improve weld consistency, potentially improving productivity and quality in industrial manufacturing.