INOX India and its partners inaugurated the SemiOrbit Skill Excellence Centre on 26 October 2026 at the Paldi campus of ITM SLS Baroda University in Vadodara, Gujarat. The centre is a collaboration among INOX India (INOXCVA), ITM SLS Baroda University, INOX Air Products and Swagelok Bombay. Its programmes are designed for students, engineers and working professionals preparing for technical roles in semiconductor manufacturing.
Training and Industry Roles
The centre will provide structured courses, practical workshops, certification opportunities and hands-on training in orbital welding, process piping and ultra-high-purity (UHP) gas distribution systems. INOX India will provide cryogenic and gas infrastructure and train engineers. INOX Air Products will supply UHP gases, while Swagelok Bombay will contribute technology and expertise in orbital welding and process piping. ITM SLS Baroda University will lead academic and training activities.
Training will cover the installation, fabrication and maintenance of UHP gas distribution systems, semiconductor process utility infrastructure and advanced orbital welding applications. Orbital welding is a mechanised process used to weld pipes and tubes around their circumference. Semiconductor fabrication uses process gases and specialised utility systems, for which purity and controlled delivery are important requirements.
Semiconductor Manufacturing and Gas Systems
Semiconductors are materials whose electrical conductivity lies between that of conductors and insulators; silicon is widely used in semiconductor devices. Semiconductor fabrication involves multiple processes, including deposition, etching and lithography, carried out in controlled manufacturing environments. Gas distribution networks deliver process gases from supply systems to equipment used in fabrication.
UHP gases have very low levels of contaminants and are used in processes where impurities can affect device manufacturing. Piping materials, connections and installation practices are selected to help maintain gas purity. Cryogenic engineering deals with the production and use of very low temperatures, while cryogenic systems can support the storage and handling of liquefied gases.
India Semiconductor Mission
The centre aligns with the objectives of the India Semiconductor Mission, established under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to develop India’s semiconductor and display ecosystem. The Union Cabinet approved the Semicon India programme in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. The programme includes support for semiconductor and display fabrication, compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, sensors and semiconductor design.
Important Facts for Exams
- Silicon is a semiconductor element with atomic number 14.
- Photolithography transfers circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers using light-sensitive materials.
- Semiconductor manufacturing requires controlled environments to limit contamination during fabrication.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology administers the India Semiconductor Mission.
The SemiOrbit Skill Excellence Centre is located at the Paldi campus of ITM SLS Baroda University in Vadodara. Its training areas include orbital welding, process piping and UHP gas distribution systems.
