As a consequence of an increasingly competitive market, companies in the machine tool sector are demanding higher levels of accuracy and resilience in their machining and production systems. The growing presence of robotics in these solutions, moreover, requires a higher degree of collaboration between robots and machines.  

It is in this context that the Tekniker technology centre, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and an expert in advanced manufacturing and industrial robotics, is currently involved in several projects aimed at delivering processes that are more resilient, efficient and accurate. 

One of these initiatives is called LASTORN and in which Tekniker is working on a highly innovative development featuring a tailor-made additive module for a company called Geminis Lathes that, within the framework of this project, is developing a prototype for an advanced hybrid lathe that will perform machining and additive manufacturing tasks by means of laser deposition techniques.

By combining both technologies it will be possible to improve the sustainability of these systems and also recover and recycle worn parts by means of an additive technology that will provide components with anti-corrosion, anti-wear properties or allow them to withstand high temperatures thanks to different types of coating materials.

The solution that has been funded by the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) will also enhance the accuracy of turning and grinding technologies currently in use and boost Geminis’ competitiveness. 

Within the framework of the R2M project, Tekniker is also cooperating with several leading companies of the machine tool sector in an attempt to develop solutions aimed at improving the resilience and reconfiguration of manufacturing systems based on robot-machine collaboration. 

The technology centre will offer a global overview of the project and collaborate with a number of partners to develop technologies that will provide advanced controls for industrial robots, improve the accuracy of machining applications, implement an operating environment to develop flexible manufacturing cells and use ‘Unity’ as a technology in terms of modelling and simulation for virtual cell configuration in early design and development stages.

Under the leadership of SMARTPM, the R2M project has been funded by the Basque Government via SPRI through the strategic Hazitek R&D&I support programme in which several industrial firms are also involved.