Huge Achievement..

Breaking new ground

Vineet Marathe won the Parkhe Award for developing an aluminium pod and fixtures for the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launching System

Aditi Thirani

It was an invention worthy of an award. Vineet Marathe of Vinarc Engineers won the prestigious Parkhe Award for developing an aluminium pod and fixtures for the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launching System.

The Pinaka is one of the elite weapons developed by the ARDE Pashan for the Indian Army. A major multi-technology system, the product involves partnerships from several private firms. The aluminium pod is one of the most critical sub-systems of the Pinaka rocket launching system. The aluminium assembly is designed to house six FRP launcher tubes in a 2x3 matrix, which houses the Pinaka rocket. The pod gives support to the launcher tubes and plays a vital role in the accuracy of the rocket system.

Since Pinaka rockets are unguided, everything depends on precision. The aluminium pod assembly has to be extremely light-weight. The manufacturing process of the assembly is a complex task requiring specialised welding fixtures so that it is a 100% distortion free structure. Vineet holds a master’s degree in metallurgy-welding from COEP. "I always had a keen interest in design, manufacturing and operational requirements of the aluminium pod assembly," says Vineet. His product has met the stringent norms specified by ARDE.

Vineet who has also won the PCMC Entrepreneur of The Year Award in 2006-07 is a member of Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. The chamber has recognised over 400 entrepreneurs over 59 years of its existance. Vineet’s work has been certified by DRDO, ordnance factories and has been accepted by the Indian Army after strict quality checks by various quality assurance agencies. Production relating to Pinaka systems started in 2006.

Praising Vineet, an ARDE official said, "Such dedication of a private industrial partner is extremely rare. He has supplied the necessary welding fixtures and helped establish the production of aluminium pod assemblies at ordnance factories. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to work with him in developing futuristic high technology weapon systems."

Besides the Army, Vineet has worked as welding in charge at Telco. He has been at the helm of Vinarc Engineers on Prabhar Road for 12 years now. His other technical achievements include All India Welding Best Case Study Award and the patent for an innovative seating concept. He has also been a consultant with the PMC’s water pipeline project. "I now plan to start a training and consultancy institute, the Marathe Welding Cell for students, welders and managers.