13 September, 2024The launch meeting of FUTURAMA, a strategic HAZITEK project that seeks to develop new digital technologies to make hybrid machines more intelligent, combining additive and subtractive processes, such as wire feeding by means of laser and electric arc technologies, with high-precision machining operations such as milling and turning, was held on 9 September. The project has a duration of 33 months and a budget of 4.5 million euros.
FUTURAMA's main objective is to improve the reliability and autonomy of direct energy deposition (DED) machines, which currently depend on constant monitoring due to the complexity of the process and possible manufacturing faults, such as geometric defects or porosities. The project focuses on the development of advanced sensors, self-learning models and simulation tools that enable more accurate control of critical process variables such as temperature and component geometry.
The company Juaristi Boring & Milling Machines is leading the project, in which ABC Compressors, Eibar Precision Casting, Ibarmia, Lebario, Optimus3D, Segula Technologies, AFM-ADDIMAT and 7 R&D&I units of the Basque Science and Technology Network Tecnalia, Lortek, UPV/EHU, Tekniker, ABCTECH, EIPC Research Center and Invema, a technological unit of AFM Cluster, are also participating.
FUTURAMA seeks to apply its innovations in high-impact sectors such as aeronautics, petrochemicals and railways, with the aim of consolidating the Basque Country as a benchmark in advanced additive manufacturing and the creation of high added value products. The consortium also aims to manufacture large components without wasting material, which will contribute to more sustainable and efficient production. In this sense, FUTURAMA is aligned with the strategic priorities of the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan Euskadi-PCTI 2030, and also with the European objectives of sustainability and digitisation, promoting the transition towards a more digitised and environmentally friendly, competitive and efficient industry.
