Advanced Manufacturing
Description
Development and optimization of manufacturing and measurement methods and systems, both contact and non-contact: Manufacturing metrology, mechatronics, Industrial Vision, Integrated Manufacturing, Integrated Quality, Gears, and Additive Manufacturing.
Competitive Advantages
This activity is widely applicable across multiple industrial sectors such as automotive, railway, aerospace, naval, capital goods, or machine tools, among others. A key achievement is the global market implementation of automatic non-contact inspection technologies for detecting paint defects on reflective or semi-reflective surfaces, currently deployed by several automobile manufacturers across different countries. Additionally, high-precision inline measurement systems based on industrial vision and laser are applied in scenarios requiring metrological precision in inline quality control.
Applications
- Manufacturing Metrology:
Development of measurement and calibration methods for quality control and production system verification. Optimization of Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) usage, traceability analysis, and calibration. Applications for large-scale manufacturing and measurement. Development of non-contact digitization and measurement systems. Machine tool metrology and robot metrology. - Mechatronics and Microtechnologies:
Design, manufacturing, and calibration of high-precision contact and non-contact systems and prototypes. Developments in precision mechanics, microtechnologies, and nanotechnologies. Industrial vision. - Industrial Vision:
Camera calibration techniques and algorithms, image processing, and mathematical modeling for high-precision non-contact measurement. Development of measurement, detection, and inline inspection systems based on industrial vision. Integration of deep learning and big data techniques into inspection systems. - Computer-Integrated Manufacturing:
CAD/CAM/CAQ/CIM systems; rapid prototyping, reverse engineering; optimization and automation of manufacturing processes. - Integrated Manufacturing and Quality:
Integration of production planning, quality, and maintenance; quality assurance and continuous improvement; statistical process control and capability analysis; design quality and new product development; total productive maintenance. - Gears:
Single and double flank gear rolling test techniques. Geometry and development of special tooth profiles. Manufacturing by generation processes, grinding cycles, and tool sharpening. - Additive Manufacturing:
Design, manufacturing, and optimization of additive manufacturing machines and processes. Design techniques for additive manufacturing. - Main sectors of application include automotive, railway, aerospace, naval, capital goods, or machine tools. Of special note is the global market deployment of automatic non-contact inspection technologies for detecting paint defects on reflective or semi-reflective surfaces, already implemented by several automotive manufacturers in various countries. Also notable are high-precision inline measurement systems using industrial vision and laser technologies for applications demanding metrological accuracy in real-time quality control.
Classification
Technology Areas:
- Artificial Intelligence and cognitive systems
- Simulation and modelling
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
Categories:
- Technological development
- Technology transfer
- Concept validation and prototyping
- Testing and validation
Keywords
Dimensional metrology, non-contact measurement, industrial vision, quality control, inspection, defect detection, surface inspection, machine tool, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, nanometrology
Contact
Success Stories
J3D Vision and Inspection Measurement Systems
J3D VISION is a tech-based spin-off company from the University of Zaragoza, created within the GIFMA Group. Its activity focuses on the development and implementation of inline non-contact inspection solutions for 100% of the production. The company benefits from continuous support and collaboration with GIFMA, enabling it to develop a patented inspection and measurement technology for painted reflective surfaces—considered a breakthrough in the painting process for major automobile manufacturers. Over recent years, the company has successfully implemented various non-conventional inspection solutions in major vehicle manufacturers and suppliers across several European countries, based on novel image inspection and processing algorithms.
PSA Group, Valeo Thermal
These are among the companies closely collaborating with the GIFMA group. High-precision non-contact laser and robot-based measurement systems have been implemented for critical part inspection and dedicated digitization stations. Also included are smart inspection solutions with integrated data systems within the Industry 4.0 framework.
