Plastics

• Incorporation of functionality into moulded parts via in-mould electronics, nanotexturing, PVD and compounding.
• Reinforced structures: Overmoulding of compound sheets.
• Designing complex moulds and parts and optimising the injection process for thermoplastics and silicone. Simulating the filling process and performing tests at the laboratory and industrial level and at the client’s own premises.
• Incorporating new technologies into the design or production process: 3D printing, ultrasound, microwave, photonics.
• Coatings.
• Characterisation of materials and processes: Determining the material composition of a particular part; surface analysis; and analysis of the mechanisms behind a loss of properties and/or failure. Technical advice on the selection of materials and processes.
• Compounding and composites:
  • Bespoke additivation of materials.
  • Development of lightweight parts with high levels of mechanical performance using advanced manufacturing technologies.
  • Manufacture of thermoplastic compounds with high added value through extrusion and compounding.
  • Monofilament extrusion, hand lay-up, vacuum-bag moulding, RTM, pressforming, HDF, autoclave and oven moulding.
  • Tailor-made structural textiles and preforms: development of hybrid fibres and textiles, design and manufacture of textile structures in accordance with geometry and application.
• Product design: From concept to pre-series.

New manufacturing processes

• 3D printing:
  • New 3D printing materials in line with desired characteristics.
  • Optimisation of printing parameters based on the material and technology used.
  • Printing of advanced materials.
  • Characterisation of the printed material.
  • Development of new machinery for additive manufacturing.
  • Topology optimisation.
  • Generative design.
• Ultrasound:
  • Application of ultrasound to industrial processes and/or machinery.
  • Ad hoc design and simulation of sonotrodes.
  • Experimental analysis and optimisation of the industrial process.
• Microwaves and plasma:
  • Application of microwaves to industrial processes and machinery.
  • Curing and drying processes, material decomposition, water heating.
  • Design of plasma generators.
  • New microwave-welding processes.
  • Waste treatment.
• Photonics:
  • Development of light sources.
  • Optical sensors.
  • Microfluidic devices with photonic interrogation.
  • Characterisation of materials using spectroscopy techniques.

Metals

• Advanced characterisation and advisory services. Properties, microstructure, performance, forming.
• Lightweighting: Pilot plant for aluminium die-casting (HPDC). New alloys, vacuum moulding, dehydrogenation using ultrasound, salt cores.
• Functional surfaces: Corrosion and deterioration, tribology, surfacing technologies.
• Pilot plant for hot and cold stamping.
• Simulation of forming processes:
  • Cold forming: Folding, cutting, drawing, stamping.
  • Hot forming: Thermal optimisation of dies, microstructural prediction, analysis of forming defects.
  • Continuous casting and conventional casting.
  • Powder metallurgy. Atomisation, mould-filling, compacting.
  • Fusion welding, adhesives.

Smart Management Systems

• Optimisation of operations, processes and resources: Monitoring, data analysis, forecasting and intervention using advanced algorithms.
• Near-Zero Defects: Application of advanced AI technologies with self-learning capacities to predict defects in parts in real time. Assistance with the setting-up process and self-adjusting parameters for machinery.
• Predictive maintenance: Diagnostics services for machinery breakdowns, calculations of useful life. Route optimisation and augmented reality to help support operators.
• Worker of the future: Workforce management modules and automated management of work orders. Sensor-equipped clothing for monitoring health; operator positioning systems; knowledge bases.
• Smart products: Products that are fitted with sensors and are able to send data throughout their useful lives. This data will be used to continuously improve the product and the user experience.
• Roadmap 4.0.

Robotics and automation

• Industrial robotics: Robotic cells, tooling design, collaborative robotics, modelling and advanced simulation, multi-modal and intuitive programming.
• Autonomous robotics: Air and land vehicles, autonomous navigation and control, sensors and actuators.
• Automation and mechatronics: Process control, sensors and actuators, embedded systems, artificial vision, automated quality control.

Sustainability

• Recovery:
  • Water: treatment, reuse, recovery of compounds and energy.
  • Waste: evaluation, stabilisation and disposal.
  • Ground, groundwater and sediments: treatment and recovery.
• Energy:
  • Energy: energy efficiency, thermal and electrical systems, integration of renewable energies and microgrids.
  • Batteries and electric vehicles: new systems for energy storage and sustainable mobility.

Process simulation

• Thermodynamic processes.
• Fluid-dynamic processes.
• Analysis and optimisation.
• Simulation of forming processes.