3D Printing and Robotics from a Cutting-Edge Lab in Alicante

A cutting-edge space dedicated to additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, and robotics. These are the two major technologies that dominate the Industrial Lab, a reference space in the province located at the facilities of the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs of the Province of Alicante (Fempa), in the Alicante industrial area of Aguamarga.

Born from a project in collaboration with the Metalworking, Furniture, Wood, Packaging and Related Technological Institute (Aidimme) and funded by the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (Ivace), this space is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises to test this technology.

Thus, the laboratory has three distinct parts: an additive manufacturing or 3D printing room, another for collaborative robotics, and a third for virtual reality with real simulations. "The function is to bring these types of technologies closer to SMEs, who may think they are not for them," explains the Industrial Lab technician and expert, Vicente Villaverde, who assures that these "are already democratized and are practically feasible."

The engineer from Fempa emphasizes the importance of this laboratory for SMEs: "It's not just that these technologies would not be accessible, but they would be unknown to many." Villaverde insists that there are many sectors "that are unaware of the great potential of 3D printing, where we can start from pieces that weigh twice or three times as much and with this we can adjust."

The technician showcases various pieces manufactured using different materials: plastic, steel, titanium, or fibres are some of those that can be used in the different 3D printing machines, including one that allows working with metal. "You can make anything with 3D printing, from titanium prostheses to any other type of piece, many companies even make their own tools with these technologies," explains the expert.

Used in sectors such as aerospace or automotive, Fempa's intention is to bring these types of technologies closer to any firm. "We want companies to come before buying this machinery, and to teach how to create functional, high-value pieces," assures Villaverde, who emphasizes that "if we have to compete with Asian markets, which are very good at manufacturing these low-value pieces, SMEs will be severely affected."

In this regard, Fempa's general secretary, Rosa Sánchez, highlights that this demonstration space "serves for companies to assess the implementation of these technologies and to test additive manufacturing techniques." The metal federation's executive notes that "there is no other place to try this" and highlights a "fundamental function to bring these technologies closer, which can be very useful because the production model is changing."

The expert emphasizes that the intention is "to bring this closer to the company, study its piece, its mechanical characteristics and all kinds, and then guide it so that they can manufacture it and decide if they want this machinery." However, Villaverde insists that "we are not a laboratory for large runs, but for prototyping."

The first of the Industrial Lab's spaces consists of a room with additive manufacturing machines. "We have three technologies, one of resin, another of selective welding, and a third of plastic powders," explains Villaverde. The technician assures that before "many people thought it was like printing a PDF at home, but knowledge is necessary to create these pieces."

The expert stands next to the metal machine, one of Fempa's crown jewels. "We have metal manufacturing by laser welding, with steel powders: aluminium, titanium, or steels, others can be used although we mainly deal with these," expresses the engineer.

And in this space, pieces of all kinds can be made, even articulated directly, without the need to assemble them. "It's a way to reduce costs, although they are slow technologies," asserts Villaverde, who emphasizes that "they are good for those runs that are not excessively large, as we have a process that is slow but gives you a very personalized finish."

Next to this, there is a collaborative robotics room. Two robotic arms are located along a conveyor belt where they handle tasks such as assembly or selection of pieces. Alongside them, other arms roam the laboratory, like rumba vacuum robots, but larger and with an arm that handles picking up and transporting what they have been ordered.

"These robots are like a rumba, but we've put a processor in it to perform the functions given by humans," explains the engineer, making a comparison with a day-to-day robot. However, Villaverde emphasizes that "it's collaborative robotics, people are always needed."

In this space, the robots demonstrate how a USB is assembled. An arm selects the usable parts of the pendrive and places them on a rotating table, where a second arm assembles the USB, all through previously transmitted orders. A process that can be done with anything, such as tomatoes.

"With the workshops we conduct, we want those future teams to be adapted to these new technologies that are in the sector," expresses Villaverde, who makes it clear that there are machines that used to cost 200,000 euros and now cost 20,000. "If we manage to get ahead, we will have a great industrial fabric," concludes the expert, highlighting that these teams "are quickly amortized."