The Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute’s Innovation Council of CARE College of Engineering, 27, Dindugal Main Road, Thayanur, Tamil Nadu – 620009, organized an Exposure and Field Visit for Problem Identification on 19th August 2025 to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Trichy. The visit was designed to expose students to real-time industrial practices and provide practical insights into large-scale manufacturing processes, thereby bridging the gap between academic learning and industrial applications.
Team Composition
- Faculty Members:
- Mr. S. Arun Prakash, Assistant Professor (Mechanical)
- Mr. V. Venkatesan, Assistant Professor (Mechanical)
- Students:
- 37 students of Second Year and Third Year, Mechanical Engineering
Visit Overview
Upon reaching the BHEL premises, the team was given a warm reception by the officials, followed by a comprehensive briefing on the company’s legacy, scale of operations, and contribution to India’s power sector. The session emphasized BHEL’s pivotal role in manufacturing boilers, turbines, heat exchangers, and other critical components for thermal, hydro, and gas power plants.
The students were then taken on a guided tour of various divisions within the facility, including fabrication, machining, and assembly units. The officials explained the systematic approach followed in heavy engineering manufacturing, highlighting the advanced machinery, automation systems, and quality control practices.
Key Learning Highlights
- Fabrication Process: Students observed how large boiler drums and pressure vessels are fabricated using high-strength alloys, precision welding techniques, and non-destructive testing methods to ensure safety and reliability.
- Machining Operations: A detailed demonstration of heavy-duty lathes, CNC machines, and vertical boring mills provided insights into the scale of machining required for massive components like turbine casings and rotors.
- Assembly Line: The team witnessed how sub-assemblies were integrated to form large equipment, with a strong focus on alignment, balancing, and performance testing.
- Quality & Safety: Emphasis was placed on BHEL’s strict adherence to quality assurance protocols and worker safety, reinforcing the importance of industry standards in engineering practice.
Interactive Session The visit concluded with an interactive Q&A session where students raised queries about challenges in heavy engineering, opportunities for mechanical engineers in core industries, and the future scope of renewable energy technologies. The BHEL engineers provided valuable insights into industrial problem-solving, maintenance challenges, and innovations driving efficiency in power equipment manufacturing.
Industrial Visit Outcomes
- Students gained practical knowledge of large-scale manufacturing and assembly processes.
- Exposure to advanced machining and fabrication techniques enhanced their understanding of industrial applications.
- The visit fostered problem-identification skills, linking classroom theories with real-world engineering practices. Students were motivated to explore careers and research opportunities in core industries like power generation and heavy engineering.
