Technology Development Board backs Puretronics for indigenous contactless load sensor
The TDB has approved financial assistance to M/s Puretronics India Private Limited, Mumbai for the project titled “LMO – Load Measurement Overload Sensor”. The project aims to commercialise India’s first fully contactless, programmable load‑measurement system for elevators, cranes, hoists and other safety‑critical industrial applications.
Key Developments
- Funding approved by DST through its TDB.
- Project name: LMO.
- Target sectors: elevators, material‑handling systems, cable machinery, and other industrial automation applications.
- Technology replaces conventional strain‑gauge load cells with a non‑contact magnetic principle, offering higher accuracy, low maintenance and vibration resistance.
- System integrates with PLC, SCADA and IoT platforms.
Important Facts
The LMO platform is designed and developed entirely in India. It offers application‑specific customisation, easy installation and robust performance in harsh industrial environments. By establishing commercial‑scale manufacturing, Puretronics aims to reduce dependence on imported sensing solutions, thereby supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the policy of import substitution.
During the launch, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB highlighted that advanced sensor technologies are the backbone of modern industrial automation and smart manufacturing. He emphasized that indigenous innovations like the LMO system enhance industrial safety, improve manufacturing competitiveness and align with the self‑reliance agenda.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this development helps aspirants in several GS papers:
- GS3 – Science & Technology & Economy: The role of TDB and DST in fostering indigenous R&D.
- GS3 – Industrial Policy: How contactless sensor technology can replace imported load cells, illustrating import substitution and boost Make‑in‑India.
- GS3 – Infrastructure & Urban Development: Application of LMO in elevators and material‑handling systems, critical for safe urban infrastructure.
Way Forward
Puretronics plans to set up a dedicated manufacturing unit, certify the product for industrial standards and promote it to domestic manufacturers of elevators, cranes and other heavy‑equipment. Wider adoption will depend on:
- Successful integration with existing PLC, SCADA and IoT ecosystems.
- Government incentives under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.
- Industry acceptance through demonstration of reliability, cost‑effectiveness and reduced maintenance.
If successful, the LMO system could position India as a global supplier of advanced industrial sensors, creating jobs and enhancing export potential.