Advanced Management Systems

Non-destructive detection by measuring the degree of maturity of oranges and tangerines with multispectral images. The MADURESA project promotes innovative and disruptive technologies for the digitisation and improvement of the quality process in the agri-food sector, specifically in oranges and tangerines. Artificial intelligence technologies applied in the world of agriculture use sensors to achieve precision agriculture that increases the yield and quality of production. MADURESA evaluates the potential of two techniques: near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) for the analysis of multispectral images and analytical techniques for the determination of the most important maturity parameters of fruit quality. In [...]

High-performance sensor for an industry 4.0 with zero manufacturing defects. The VISIRIA4.0 project develops vision technology to establish a constant line of information that allows any industry to improve its production processes, thus reaching manufacturing with zero defects. VISIRIA4.0 develops a new high-performance sensor that works in the spectrum range 400 – 1700 nm. In this sense, the application of photonic technology will facilitate the automation of error detection in a non-intrusive and continuous way. This technology will be validated in two relevant industries such as textile knitting and plastic injection by silicone moulds. VISIRIA 4.0 [...]

Research and development of ceramic and metallic powder material from recycled sources for the additive manufacturing sector. The VIVALDI project promotes recovery processes for ceramic and metallic material waste through the generation of powder, to be used in additive manufacturing and other value-added applications, such as laser cladding or the development of light alloys. Eurecat participates in VIVALDI through different Technological Units: The Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit manufactures powder by centrifugal atomisation from chips, develops new reinforced alloys with recycled particles, andvalidates the properties of the parts manufactured with these recovered materials. The New Manufacturing Processes Unit [...]

Non-profit regional innovation ecosystem formed by the main agents supporting digitisation in Catalonia. The Digital Innovation Hub of Catalonia (DIH4CAT) connects the main technology infrastructure of the region to accelerate technology transformation towards a more green and digital industry. DIH4CAT is mainly aimed at Catalan technology start-ups, public administrations and SMEs, with a special focus on manufacturing companies and technology providers. Catalonia has a strong industrial base with 35.339 companies (99% SMEs), which represent 18.1% of Spanish industrial enterprises. In 2019, data shows that only 16% of those companies had adopted advanced digital technologies. Besides, Catalonia [...]

Investigation of the nutritional quality and the interaction with the microbiota of new protein alternatives through the combination of new dynamic digestion technologies and Organ-on-Chip (OOC) intestinal modeling. The MICROGUT project aims to investigate the application of new OOC technologies for the recreation of the microenvironment of the human colon, including the microbiota and its interaction with the cellular and molecular component of the epithelium, optimising dynamic digestion systems to recreate the biochemical conditions in vitro, microstructure and fluidics of the three differentiated sections of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). MICROGUT will explore the [...]

Feasibility studies to assess the convenience of developing a cloud interface and HMI support for managing agricultural maps. The IoT Crops 4.0 project aims to carry out a set of feasibility studies that facilitate strategic decision-making and allow evaluating the convenience of developing a cloud interface and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) support to link the management of agriculture maps for variable fertilisation with liquid and solid fertiliser dispensers. The IoT Crops 4.0 project results from the application of three crucial technologies for the digital transformation of agriculture and in particular the wine sector. These technologies are, in [...]

Design and development of a new generation of circular knitting machines with total and predictive quality control. The PRECATEX project implements an innovative total and predictive quality control system with the objective to allow the productivity of quality textiles and minimises defective production. This new system is achieved by using new techniques not currently implemented in the sector, such as new generation sensors and the integration of Predictive Quality Models. Eurecat, which participates in the project through its Applied Artificial Intelligence Unit, the New Manufacturing Processes Unit and the Functional Textiles Unit, is responsible for the [...]

Development of a new technology which enables to reinforce parts with continuous fibres, multiplying in this way the mechanical properties while reducing the weight. The CFIP (Continuous Fiber Injection Process) technology is a new post-processing, developed and patented by Eurecat, based on injecting the continuous fibers simultaneously with liquid resin inside tubular cavities in the part. Once cured the part, the solidified resin works as a mechanical interface between the fibers and the rest of the part. CFIP technology aims to enable the use of 3D printing in new applications where high mechanical and lightweghting performance [...]

Improvement of shaping systems for the deposition of semi-molten materials, applicable mainly to plastic, metallic or mixed materials (plastic, metallic, ceramic and inorganic). The FUSE3D project develops new technologies for the deposition of semi-molten material with the aim to improve the adhesion between layers of material and increasing its strength, combining different materials when printing to obtain different surfaces and be able to create geometries with more height. The innovation promoted by the project allows to carry out studies, characterisations and optimisations of printing materials and processes. Moreover, the definition of the mechanical properties of the [...]

Development of new tests and computer simulation methodologies with the aim of predicting the life of the electric vehicle chassis components and selecting optimal materials. The Fatigue4Light project works on the application of new materials adapted to chassis requirements, such as advanced high-strength steels, special automotive stainless steels, high-strength aluminium alloys and metal-polymer hybrid materials. The innovation of the project manages to reduce the weight of the vehicle chassis up to 30% compared to more innovative solutions and up to 40% compared to some existing applications, taking into account aspects of eco-design and circular economy. The [...]

Innovative and affordable solutions for advanced car body shells manufacturing and lightweight material strategies for railways, innovative doors and train modularity. The CARBODIN project, coordinated by Eurecat, has the objective to contribute to the next generation of passenger trains that will be lighter and more energy and cost efficient than the current ones. An important step for that is the use of composite technologies, which still face barriers for full implementation such as their high cost. Another important aspect is the modular design of interiors and low-cost manufacturing of vehicles part. The Composites Materials Unit of Eurecat [...]

The Community of Industries of the Future, coordinated by Eurecat and composed of 28 reference entities in the Catalan manufacturing sector, aims to consolidate a leading innovation pole in Efficient and Sustainable  Manufacturing in Catalonia, by creating a network of capacities and local pilot plants that allow the cohesion of integral value chains around industrial R+D+i. The IdF community jointly proposes the realization of 5 strategic projects of applied research and industrial development during the 2018-2020 triennium, focused on the fields of industrial digitization, collaborative robots, advanced processes and functional products. These include the IGNITE project, [...]

Printing of 3D products through recycled CFRPs and polymers to demonstrate the repurpose of these type of materials. Repair3D, through advanced nanotechnology solutions and additive manufacturing (AM), allows to reuse and recycle these materials in an innovative way and minimize the waste generated by plastics and CFRPs. The application of this project can increase the recovery rate of polymers up to 40% and monetary saving related to recycling up to 50%, while decreasing in half the cost of production and raw materials. The innovations launched by Repair3D could create a new paradigm of the recycling, applicable [...]

CAR2CAR-LOFE aims to develop a low-frequency (LF), V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) communication system: a new type of network through which autonomous vehicles can communicate with each other to make more information available on their surroundings and improve safety for drivers in the event of an emergency, such as a road accident, an accident where a vehicle leaves the road, or an obstacle in the road. During the project, antennae and an innovative electronic communication system will be developed to maximise the communication distance between vehicles while fulfilling the requirements of this application and upholding safety standards. Meanwhile, to [...]

The FAMPAI project develops and manufactures, with advanced processes, powdered materials of a metallic, intermetallic and ceramic nature, with a crystalline, amorphous structure, for industrial applications. The project focuses on shaping pieces by means of powder metallurgy and on the treatment and functionalisation of surfaces by means of coverings deposited by projection. The FAMPAI project should enable these powdered materials to be manufactured and applied, in the hope that Catalonia will become an international benchmark in the production of powder with high added value. Eurecat has participated in the project through its technological New Manufacturing Processes [...]