The INOV.AM project - Innovation in Additive Manufacturing emerges to face the urgent need to propell scientific and technological innovation in the Portuguese industry, with the goal to revolutionize and push forward Portugal's potential and competitiveness in the global market.
Aiming to reinforce the development and propagation of knowledge, technologies, and materials for additive manufacturing (AM), INOV.AM focus is to incorporate the unique characteristics of AM in traditional production technologies. The ultimate goal is to improve the efficiency and flexibility of processes, working towards the creation of high-quality, value-added customized products.
The project is composed by the Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation and involves a consortium of 77 entities, 12 of which are non-business organizations and 65 are business entities, including non-SMEs.
The INOV.AM consortium is led by Erofio S.A., a pioneer in the use of metal additive manufacturing in Portugal and with substantial experience in innovative projects through its presence and leadership.
In addition, INOV.AM has the contribution of the University of Minho, for its recognized experience in leading projects in collaboration with Industry.
A wide range of competencies contribute to this initiative, offering an holistic and complementary vision based on four major areas of intervention:
- Development of AM Production (new equipment improvement through existing technologies or introducing new technologies);
- Innovation in Additive Manufacturing;
- Development of Advanced Automation and Control Software aiming the optimization of AM equipment and overall production process effectiveness;
- Human Resources Training (such as Design for AM, production processes, testing, finishing, and materials for AM).
Website https://inov.am/pt/
The role of PTSCience in INOV.AM
The use of Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes, such as DED and SLM, aims to create optimized components, especially for molds, with amorphous materials and metamaterials. This project studies the use of these processes to be more efficient in building parts, introducing alternative mechanical properties.
Non-planar deposition strategies are developed to improve part quality and reduce post-processing. The objective is to build highly optimized molds, reducing time and energy costs, and improving the final quality of parts. Each AM technique will contribute to the development of a part of the project.
In essence, the project is exploring new ways to 3D print molds using advanced materials and techniques so that the manufacturing process becomes more efficient and effective.
The challenge for PTScience in this Workpage is to design a "case study" for corrective or magnifying ophthalmic lens made from a more sustainable, environmentally friendly bio-based material, PLA (polylactic acid).
WP15_ORTHOSCAN 3D
WP15 project, called OrthoScan3D, aims to develop a device for producing customized orthoses, medical devices to improve performance in people with disabilities.
The integration of direct digital manufacturing technologies allows for topological optimization, weight and thickness reduction, and increased comfort.
The application of these technologies in the Portuguese health sector is limited, but its efficient integration can make the benefits accessible to patients.
The objective is to develop a complete system to digitize the body and limbs, design customized medical devices, and produce them with suitable materials. Market assessment models will be prepared to facilitate market penetration.
The main objectives of OrthoScan 3D focus on:
- Developing an additive manufacturing equipment with a digitization system for the production of orthoses
- Developing control software for equipment
- Developing a case study (Orthosis) of the technology's capabilities
- Developing a case study (wheelchair) for people with cerebral palsy.
- Expected Results:
- 1 Hybrid manufacturing system (deposition + machining) together with a "one-shot" digitization system for the body/limbs.
- 1 Generic control system for the digitization system.
PTScience's activity in this WP is focused on selecting plastic-based biomaterials and developing solutions for coatings with possible antibacterial functionality (among others) biological-based materials for the design of orthoses.
video: https://youtu.be/4sdlG_Bf11A?si=D4O161C3Qm3TQ6HI
WP22-Cyber-Physical Systems and Digitalization
Cyber Physical Systems and Digitalization, addresses the control of production processes, especially in additive manufacturing, aiming to ensure quality and proper parameterization.
nterconnectivity between software, equipment, and management systems is crucial. The project aims to digitize processes, interlinking manufacturing, design, co-creation, monitoring, and control.
A digital platform will be developed for monitoring additive manufacturing, connecting scientific solutions to business challenges through private financing models launching the concept of Science Shares®.
General project objectives:
- Development of software applied to the control of additive manufacturing processes
- Development of platforms for commercializing products resulting from the processes explored within INOV.AM
- Development of file management systems for additive manufacturing;
- Valorization of technologies developed within INOV.AM
- Providing support, through software development, to the various projects aggregated in INOV.AM.
Expected results:
- Software for data processing, slicing, and control
- Software for augmented reality to support processes and training
- Cybersecurity systems
- E-commerce platform and application testing
- Applications/web for knowledge valorization - Science Shares®
- Gateways and communication protocols
