I4MS at Advanced Factories | PULSATE Interview

Laser-based advanced and additive manufacturing (LBAAM) technologies play an important role in digital production and offer important advantages to the companies that adopt them. However, barriers such as high investment costs, complex technology and system integration and awareness hinder their adoption by SMEs.

The EU-funded PULSATE project intends to mitigate these barriers to boost the adoption of LBAAM technologies by SMEs and promote the development of SME-friendly laser-based equipment and solutions. To achieve this, it will set up a Europe-wide network to encourage SME participation in LBAAM innovation. It will therefore connect digital innovation hubs to support a structure designed to tackle the issues currently hindering LBAAM technology adoption. The project’s work will help to increase the competitiveness of European SMEs.

Digitizing European industry is essential for European competitivity in the 21st century, but only 1/5 of EU SMEs is highly digitised. Laser-Based Advanced and Additive Manufacturing (LBAAM) technologies are regarded as Key Enablers for Digital Production and offer important advantages to the adopters. SMEs have strong entry barriers for the technology: Investment cost, technology complexity, system integration and awareness/adoption readiness. PULSATE aims to lower all said barriers to boost the adoption of Laser-Based technologies by SMEs and promote the development of SME-friendly laser-based equipment and solutions. PULSATE will establish a Pan-European Network to stimulate SMEs to take part in the Innovation Ecosystem of LBAAM, by connecting Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) to a support structure of knowledge, infrastructure and services, designed to tackle the issues currently limiting the adoption of LBAAM technology. A balanced combination is proposed between wide outreach using interconnected Virtual Communities and ICT tools (a Single Entry Point will connect a wide range of networking and servicing tools), and close exchange and interaction via DIHs. The project relies on a consortium of 6 competence centres (AIMEN, FTMC, MTC, SINTEF, Fraunhofer, CEA), service community and marketplace providers (FBA, CLESGO) and a photonics industry association (EPIC). With >50 previous projects outcomes, existing tools and services, connections with 74 running DIHs, Clusters and regional initiatives, PULSATE counts with the explicit support of companies and institutions (>80LoS), and an independent Board of Stakeholders gathering key players in LBAAM will ensure the quality and pertinence of PULSATE orientation. PULSATE will operate under 4 action areas: Business, Technology, Competence & Awareness, addressing the following technology domains: Nano/Micro Fabrication, AM, High Power Laser Manufacturing and Digitisation, and implementing 4 Open Calls and a catalogue of services.

Interview to Izabela Zrazinska, PULSATE Senior Project Manager.

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