19SEPTEMBER 2025In an exclusive interaction with Industry Outlook, Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director of Kennametal India Limited, highlights how advanced tooling technologies are supporting the evolving landscape of aerospace manufacturing. As the industry embraces complex materials and digital processes, smart and adaptive tooling is enabling greater precision, efficiency, and global competitiveness. Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, a global industrial business leader, brings over two decades of expertise in strategic operations, change management, and customer-centric growth across Asia-Pacific. Recognized for steering transformation, he serves on key industry forums including CII, IMTMA, and Invest Karnataka Forum.INDUSTRY INSIGHTSREVOLUTIONIZING AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING WITH HIGH-PRECISION TOOLINGHow is the increasing demand for lightweight aerospace components shaping advancements in high-precision tooling within India's aerospace manufacturing sector?The aerospace manufacturing sector encompasses the full spectrum of production needs from engines and structures to landing gear, composites, and other critical components. With this industry gradually switching to high-tech material like CFRP, titanium, aluminum, and hard alloys in order to make aircraft lighter and fuel-efficient, the need to find solutions that can machine those materials with precision and consistency is on the rise. Although these superior materials bring a number of advantages, there are some machining challenges, since they demand tight tolerances, excellent surface finish and high thermal stability. One way to meet such requirements is through tooling solutions that offer not only precision and high metal removal rates but improved cutting speeds and greater flexibility, all while maintaining excellent tool life.This is where expertise in materials science and tooling development matters. For example, certain special solid carbide end mills have been specifically engineered for machining titanium- one of the most difficult materials in aerospace. These tools provide outstanding productivity, with a consistent metal removal rate of up to twenty cubic inches of titanium per minute, with a tool life exceeding one hour.Similarly, specific modular drills or high-feed milling cutters are useful in efficient metal removal while maintaining tight tolerances crucial for structural components like ribs, panels and landing gears. Over the years, cutting tool providers have developed an extensive portfolio of advanced tooling solutions that enable aerospace manufacturers to innovate and build better every day. Achieving micron-level precision in aerospace manufacturing in India is challenging due to thermal expansion, tool wear, and vibration. How are tooling innovations addressing these issues?Aerospace machining requires innovative solutions which Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director, Kennametal IndiaVijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director
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