Prarthana set to boost liner output

Prarthana Engineering, which makes centrifugally cast cylinder liners, will set up a new plant to increase monthly capacity of liners to 35,000 units from the present level of 25,000. The Shimoga-based company, with a turnover of Rs 7.2 crore has procured land close to its existing facility in Machenahalli industrial area. Halappa, managing director said it is also installing some new machines to enhance productivity.

Over the last ten years, Prarthana has been manufacturing 20 varieties of liners for water cooled liners. It began with 2,000 liners a month and has grown significantly since then. Over 95 percent of its output goes to Kirloskar Oil Engines for its diesel engines. It also meets the needs of Kirloskar Pneumatic, Godrej & Boyce and Swaraj Engines.

It is Kirloskar Oil Engines’ commitment to increase its annual requirements that prompted Prathana to set up a new facility. The site offers enough scope for expansion. When it began operations, the company had a 250 kg capacity mono track induction furnace and daily production of 700 castings.

Halappa said that with the new dual track induction furnace was installed last year, output has nearly doubled to 1,150 castings.Prarthana has also developed a few special purpose machines, including vertical boring machines. It is building another special purpose machine for customised applications.

Quality control is an integral part of the manufacturing process and inspections are done at every stage from raw material procurement till the finished products are despatched. Every batch is subject to chemical, physical and metallurgical tests to ensure compliance with customer specifications.

The company has recently kicked off the development process to make air cooled liners. It already has in its kitty vertical centrifugal machines and water cooled liners that are made through the horizontal centrifugal process. Prarthana has recently received enquires from Chennai-based Autoparts Asia and other companies. Samples supplied have been approved and regular supplies will commence soon with volumes in the range of around 5,000 units per month.