ISFT 2026 Focuses on Advanced Forming and Digital Manufacturing

The 9^th edition of the International Seminar on Forming Technologies (ISFT) 2026 kicked off yesterday, January 22, 2026, featuring expert-led sessions that spanned aerospace and defence applications, Manufacturing 4.0, and the growing role of agentic AI in metal forming. The programme reflected the increasing technological depth and diversification of the forming sector.

Manufacturing 4.0 Gains Momentum

In her opening address, Ingrid Rasquinha, Chairperson, ISFT 2026, highlighted the importance of large-scale platforms such as ISFT in fostering collaboration across the manufacturing ecosystem. “This edition of ISFT has been designed to reflect the transformative challenges shaping modern manufacturing processes,” she said.

Aviation Growth and Global Competitiveness

Dr Karthik Krishnamurthy, Director – Operations and COO, Mahindra Aerostructures, outlined the growth trajectory of India’s aviation sector. He cited projections such as a fivefold increase in airports by 2047, a CAGR of 6.8 percent between 2024 and 2032, and India’s potential emergence as the world’s largest aviation market. “We have moved the needle from being a low-cost source to a best-cost source,” he noted.

Innovation, Skills, and R&D

FR Singhvi, Joint Managing Director, Sansera Engineering, in his keynote address, ‘Innovation, Collaboration and Skill – The Trifecta of India’s Manufacturing Future’ emphasized sustained investment in R&D, observing that only 17 Indian companies currently invest actively in this area, with a significant portion of funding coming from government initiatives.

Dr Asim Tewari, Professor (HAG), C-MinDS & Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay, in his session on Manufacturing 4.0 discussed the integration of ExAge (Expert Agentic AI) systems—multiple AI agents working together to optimize and streamline several forming processes.

Kurt Debbaut, Global Sales Director, LVD, highlighted the need to embed digital intelligence into manufacturing operations to achieve shorter lead times and increased savings for manufacturers.

Case Studies and Application Insights

Aadersh Krishna, Head – Operations, Electro Pneumatics (India) Pvt Ltd and Sri Harsha Putti, Sr Manager, Design, Component Manufacturing Division (CMD), Electro Pneumatics (India) Pvt Ltd, delivered a session on hydroform shell covers and the challenges that come with it.

From the forging industry perspective, Carlo Maffei, Commercial Director – Forging Division, FICEP, Italy, discussed aerospace and defence applications, focusing on initiatives to reduce weight and scrap through cell-based work configurations, thereby improving efficiency and material utilization.

Source: Magic Wand Media