In today’s fast paced global business scenario, technology has become more vital than ever before. Its development and absorption are the key ingredients for the overall economic development of a nation. This is even more relevant in the context of developing countries where technological development and employment generation have to go hand in hand.

With a view to foster growth of the MSME sector in the country, Ministry of MSME is implementing its programme through its Tool Rooms located at various places across the country.  These are Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC), Kolkata, Central Tool Room (CTR), Ludhiana, Indo German Tool Room (IGTR), Indore, Indo German Tool Room (IGTR), Ahmedabad, Indo German Tool Room (IGTR), Aurangabad, Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar, Central Institute of Tool Design (CITD), Hyderabad, Indo Danish Tool Room (IDTR), Jamshedpur, Tool Room & Training Centre (TRTC), Guwahati, Central Institute of Hand Tools (CIHT), Jalandhar.

The main objective for setting up MSME- Tool Rooms is to provide consistent, reliable, quality service for industrial growth based on its trained, skilled and innovative manpower capabilities backed by the state of the art tool room facilities and provide trained manpower through long & short term training.

These MSME-Tool Rooms are concentrating on an integrated development of the related segments of the industry by way of providing international quality tools, trained personnel, consultancy in tooling and related areas and are constantly crossing new frontiers in quest for excellence and beyond.

The MSME-Tool Rooms provide  ultramodern State of-the-art Tool Room facilities under single roof with wide spectrums of sophisticated Machines which include latest and advanced CNC Lathe, Milling, EDM & Wire Cut machines.

These MSME- Tool Rooms are highly proficient in tool & die making technologies and promote precision and quality in the development and manufacture of sophisticated moulds, dies, tools and equipment.

The MSME - Tool Rooms act as a center of technology to assist MSMEs, in the fields of-

Design & Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of precision dies, tools, moulds, jigs, fixtures, gauges, etc., and advice on their appropriate use and maintenance, Tool manufacturing using latest technologies, Tool-related innovations for improved product design using Rapid Prototyping Technology, Precision machining and heat treatment.

Training: Long Term Diploma & Certificate courses in tool engineering, specialized courses in tool engineering for engineering graduates, Diploma & ITI certificate holders, skill enhancement courses for industry personnel, upgradation courses for trainers in training institutions and industries, customised training programmes for industries.

Consultancy and other services, Product & process development, Productivity/quality improvement, Training programme/course curriculum development for training institutes, execution of turn-key projects, Inspection and calibration facilities.

The highlights of some of the technology assistance provided by the Tool Rooms to MSMEs are:-Design and manufacture of form fill and seal moulds for I.V. fluid bottles and syringes, Design and manufacture of moulds for tooth brush and pet bottles, Design and manufacture of moulds for caps and closures, Prototype development of auto-components, electrical & electronic components, office equipment, medical equipment, etc using Rapid Prototyping Technology, Maintenance of hi-tech CNC machines using printed circuit board fault finding system and training to MSME employees on the same, Design & manufacture of two cavity injection unscrewing mould for drip irrigation, Design & manufacture of tools for automobile components such as horns, switches, dashboard assemblies, pressure die cast of intricate small parts, gear box, battery containers, wheel rims and clutches, Design & manufacture of tools for various electrical and electronic components such as laminations, computer cabinets/parts, telephone instruments, clocks/watches, audio/video system components, miniature circuit breakers etc,.

To address the specific needs of MSMEs, Tool Rooms have designed special training / skill up-gradation programmes like certificate course in machine operation for school drop-outs, certificate course in machinist (Tool Room), Diploma in Tool & Die making, advanced course in CNC machining, advanced course in CAD/CAM, tailor-made courses in the areas of heat treatment, metrology & inspection, pneumatics and hydraulics, various design & manufacture softwares, etc.

With hands-on exposure on state-of-the-art machinery & equipment, the successful trainees of the MSME- Tool Rooms are well accepted by the industries.  On an average, around 40,000 trainees are trained in a year by Tool Rooms. The placement of long term trainees has been around 100% in various industries, including a large number of MSMEs. Several trainees of Tool Rooms have set up their own units which have now graduated to the organized sector.

The services to MSME sector are provided on preferential rates. The number of units assistedin 2010-11 were 13636 and trainees trained by Tool Rooms were 40214.

The MSME- Tool Rooms have taken new initiatives for assisting the disadvantaged sections of the society and has designed special courses, which are sponsored by various ministries and departments of Central/State Governments. Further, SC/ ST candidates are being provided free training and their course fee is being reimbursed by the Government.

Modern Tool Room facilities are indispensible for the industrial development of the country. Assimilation and utilization of modern technology helps in improving the quality, productivity and availability of the goods. Properly trained manpower is an asset to the nation. Ministry of MSME would continue in its endeavors to provide right stimulus for the growth of industry in the country – particularly with a objective of helping MSME’s in the country, through MSME- Tool Rooms.

* Inputs from the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
* The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his/her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of SME Times.