‘PRAKASH’ is a leading luxury coach manufacturer. The design, development and manufacturing process of bus is lengthier and complex as we are highly specialized in it with continuous improvisation. R&D staff have designed and shaped the seater coach, sleeper coach, seater cum sleeper coach, staff bus, school bus, Public transit buses, caravan and special purpose buses in the Indian as well as the Global market for last five decades.

Technical competency, conceptualized design, product development and tooling are an integral part of the in-house R &D facility that ensures compliance with the engineering standards of the industry. Our R&D team has adequate knowledge and experience to manage and implement the necessary design, innovation, construction and prototyping processes.

The use of computer-aided design tools like AutoCAD Product Design Suite, Invertor LT, and SolidEdge ST10, allow our technicians to create conceptual sketches, three-dimensional models, and virtual design representations. Using these, our accomplished craftsmen/CAD technicians develop the front and rear fascia. During the design process, customer’s needs and market demands are taken into special consideration.

To increase productivity over the years, there have been numerous operational strides that have taken place, such as stocking of the complete set of fixtures for fast-moving Seater & Sleeper-variants. Tools, self-sustainable machinery, design for assembly, product standardization across various OEM’s chassis, and other auxiliary requirements have also been shaped by the R&D Team at S.M.K.

S.M.K coaches are well known for its structural strength and rigidity. A team of design engineers are continuously working to optimize structural strength for Roll-over requirement, front impact, Lateral / Rear under run protection and to withstand coaches to run lakhs of kilometer with less or minimum wear and tear.

Accomplished designers / craftsmen are continuously working towards new strategy to meet market requirements and quality up-gradation. With the State of the art facility to develop parts like front fascia, rear fascia, dashboard, saloon end panels and other panels with eye-catching aesthetics and skilled to design and develop new model prototype coaches and homologation in about 3-4months.

SMK proto type the imported Glass reinforced polymer (GRP) sheet in the roof center panel, instead of Galvanized iron which influence noteworthy weight drop.

Tooling, self-sustainable machinery fabrication, design for assembly, product standardization across various OEM’s chassis, and other auxiliary requirements have also been shaped by the R&D Team. Value engineering is also done to improve the product functionality & for cost control. Continuous feedbacks are taken from customers, which is used to validate and improve the design and to develop end-user friendly products.

To increase productivity over the years, there have been numerous operational strides that have taken place, such as stocking of the complete set of fixtures for fast-moving Seater & Sleeper-variants and adopted Line production facility in Mandya plant. These facilities are useful to increase the output and to reduce production cycle time. Front & rear fascia with embedded structure concept is in use to speedup productivity and also to improve quality of FRP panel.

Major fixtures includes for pre-fabrication of sidewall, roof structure, foundation & flooring, front structure, rear structure, Driver cabin platform and others. These fixtures are designed to produce more variants of sub-assemblies. Special purpose machines such as Body sheet stretch machine, Shoulder panel forming machine, De-coiler to name a few are fabricated In-house by the R&D team.

Detailed product analysis is done and reports are generated to understand the present trend on the customer requirement. It also helps to focus on fast moving variants and to plan accordingly. R&D takes inputs from Customer requirement feasibility study meeting in which Cross-functional team is also a part.

S.M.K’s design is tested for its Roll over strength, stability, safety, wiping, window retention, Seat anchorage and other test requirements to acquire Bus code type approval certificate. The Automotive Industry Standards, CMVR along with relative norms related to Auto industry requirements are taken care of in our buses. AIS rules, CMVR Government norms and periodical amendments are introduced in our products.

SMK also does conversion on Multi-axle seater coach to Sleeper coach on various OEM’s platform. By modifying floor we are increasing internal height to accommodate recommended passenger’s head room at lower and upper berths, which reduces CG height and improves stability.

SAFETY:

Passenger safety is the key objective of our design. Lot of effective steps is taken to enrich safety of the passengers. Some of the safety features in our buses are as follows:-

• Fire retardant grade interior material,
• Blunted interior fitments,
• Hazard system,
• Electro-pneumatic passenger door sensor,
• Public information system,
• Emergency door sensor,
• Ergonomically located control switches and handles.

The SMK High Head Rest (HHR) seats are popular among the tourist bus operators for the seat’s reclination angle and its comfort.  HHR Seats are tested and qualified by CIRT as per AIS-023 requirements.

To train and upgrade the knowledge of engineering team, various step had been taken by top management like to visit international Bus-builder industrial visit, Bus World & Auto expo. These visits will enhance better idea about future requirement and an insight into the real environment of the industry.