Who We Are

OPeraTIC is a project delivered by a consortium of 16 partners from across Europe. These partners are working together to develop an innovative solution for the laser manufacturing sector. We are developing a new manufacturing platform, processes and human-centred activities, all working together to boost the uptake of ultra-short-pulsed lasers.

Project Partners

Asociation De Investigacion Metalurgica Del Noroeste

Established 60 years ago by the local industry, AIMEN is currently a national and European benchmark in research, development and technological innovation. They work in the areas of advanced manufacturing and laser manufacturing, digital technologies for manufacturing, smart materials, smart systems and recycling. AIMEN provides a wide range of technological services to the industry, e.g., in the areas of manufacturing, advanced joining technologies, robotics and process digitization. AIMEN also provide a flexible cross-engineering service highly specialised in welding, corrosion, equipment calculation, product simulation, and material tests.

Universita Degli Studi Di Modena e Reggio Emilia

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia UNIMORE (1176) is the third oldest University in the world and has always been ranked among the top Italian universities for quality of teaching and research. UNIMORE’s XiLab, X-in-the-Loop Advanced Simulation group provides leading excellence in Digital simulation, Robotics, Ergonomics and Human Factors. XiLab combines expertise and technologies for development of innovative and sustainable products and processes for Industry 4.0.

Technische Universitaet Dresden

Technische Universität Dresden is an effective partner for local, national and global collaborations in research, teaching and transfer.

In establishing the DRESDEN-concept research alliance, we have built a pioneering framework for close cooperation with extramural research institutions and cultural partners in Dresden. We create synergies in research, teaching, infrastructure and administration with the goal of making our Excellence visible.

Laser Engineering Applications SA

With more than 10 years of experience in the field of ultrashort pulse lasers, LASEA has a unique know-how in the field of laser microprocessing. Due to the low thermal load on the workpiece, our machines are used in a wide variety of industries such as the watch industry and the medical industry.

We offer you a holistic solution for laser micromachining, from the feasibility study to the implementation of your application in a fully automated laser micromachining machine. Typical applications are the marking, engraving, drilling and cutting of a wide variety of materials from metals to glass and ceramics to natural materials.

PT Photonic Tools GmbH

Ultrafast lasers are on the threshold of an expanded application for industrial production. With a passion for innovation and more than 25 years of experience Photonic Tools is able to bring this excellent light source to the work surface. Our ultrafast fiber optic cables are only the beginning – more top of the line products will follow. With the entire range of our products we are a reliable partner for industrial users, system integrators and laser manufacturers.

Edgewave GmbH

Laser technology is destined to revolutionize the future. Its fascination stems not only from the energy, precision and stunning brilliance of the laser beam, but also from its immense potential in terms of applications. It has become an indispensable part of many aspects of modern life, and has brought about lasting changes in the fields of industrial manufacturing, medical and environmental engineering, micro- and nanotechnology, and information and communications technology.

Since EdgeWave´s very foundation in 2001 the company lives and constantly grows based on its novel ideas, its reputation and customer´s recommendations in the laser techonolgy. As our customer, you can rely on us to provide you with top-priority treatment for your own particular requirements. Benefit from the strengths of InnoSlab technology and watch your business grow!

Direct Machining Control UAB

DMC is a control software for laser machines. It’s an all-in-one solution where the user creates or imports CAD objects, sets process parameters, and clicks Run. DMC then takes care of all the hardware control according to the recipe. Typical applications range from laser marking or engraving to 3D printing and 5-axis texturing of freeform surfaces.

K-Loops SRL

We help companies enhancing their robot-based manufacturing processes through advanced simulation and solutions that ease the programming of industrial robots.

Meccano SRL

MECCANO designs and develops industrial automations, advanced machine tools, robotic manipulators and Flexible Manufacturing Lines for the Smart factory.

Qiova

QiOVA designs smart industrial laser processing solutions, uniquely combining precision with superior throughput. Out tools are dynamically configurable by software to fit the application requirements at any step along the production process.

The VULQ1 multibeam marking solution line-up is based on the patented multibeam technology, allowing to mark 2D patterns – datamatrix, alphanumeric – in a single laser pulse!

VULQ1 unique capabilities enable individual product identification with minimal cost and ecological footprint. Typical applications are anti-counterfeiting, customer engagement or tracking & tracing of components.

VULQ1 dynamic beam shaping system is also applied to micro-machining applications, where it brings multifold throughput increase by the mean of dynamic process parallelization. High potential applications like surface texturing or micro-drilling are finally able to reach the economic competitiveness threshold for mass production.

Arcelik A.S.

With over 45.000 employees throughout the world, Arçelik’s global operations include subsidiaries in 53 countries, and 30 production facilities in 9 countries and 12 brands (Arçelik, Beko, Grundig, Blomberg, ElektraBregenz, Arctic, Leisure, Flavel, Defy, Altus, Dawlance, Voltas Beko).

Sofitec Aero SL

Founded in 1999 as an engineering company, Sofitec is an international manufacturer of aerostructures specialized in the development of integral solutions built to print for COMPOSITE, METALICO and ASSEMBLY programs.

Gestamp

With presence in more than 20 countries, Gestamp is an international group dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of metal automotive components. The Group specializes in developing innovatively designed products to achieve increasingly safer and lighter vehicles, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Steinbeis 2i GmbH

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has amassed more than 30 years of innovation consulting experience with a focus on international markets and EU research funding.  SEZ is also a partner in the Enterprise Europe Network of the European Commission.

European Federation for Welding, Joining, and Cutting

The European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) is an international non-profit association established by welding institutes from several European countries.

EWF acts as the representative of the welding and joining community in Europe. It prepares harmonised rules for the education and training of personnel involved in welding, joining and related technologies. The Federation liaises with standardisation bodies and provides for exchanges of scientific and technical information. EWF also encourage projects in co-operative research and contributions to the removal of technical barriers.

The Federation facilitates technology transfer through the EWF Network. EWF has been involved in several European projects as a disseminator of results through its members and through them to a large number of industrial contacts.

design LED Products Ltd

designLED is an innovative LED lighting technology company with expertise in designing, developing, prototyping and scaling thin and flexible LED lighting and HMI products for the automotive industry.  

Based near Edinburgh in Scotland, our design centre supports international automotive OEM’s and their supply chains with solutions to complex optical, HMI and lighting integration challenges.

With a focus on the emotional and functional use of lighting, while addressing key challenges of space, cost and integration, designLED have cutting-edge technology platforms supported by over 68 patents world-wide enabling the visions of the international car industry to be realised.

The University of Warwick

Warwick is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation, and for links with business and industry.

Associated Initiatives

 
Made-to-measure micromachining with laser beams tailored in amplitude and phase.
METAMORPHA is a  project funded under the European Comission’s Horizon Europe programme.

BILASURF is a new European initiative to develop a solution for surface functionalisation, which aims to reduce friction and improve the environmental footprint of industrial parts. This will be achieved through the development of a process for high-rate laser functionalization of complex 3D surfaces using tailored designed bio inspired riblets to reduce friction and improve the environmental footprint of industrial parts, assuring a high throughput with the help of inline monitoring capabilities.

PULSATE will set-up and consolidate a robust and open PAN European Network, to promote and facilitate the adoption of Laser-Based Advanced Additive Manufacturing (LBAAM) technologies. PULSATE serves as a Single-Entry Point to support SMEs and Mid caps by connecting Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), top class Competence Centres, Public Institutions, Standardization Organizations, Financing and Business Development entities. PULSATE will also offer trainings, technical webinars and brokerage and matchmaking events.

Green Additive Manufacturing through Innovative Beam Shaping and Process Monitoring

InShaPe makes metal-based additive manufacturing faster, cheaper and more sustainable

TURBO will reduce defect formation for wind turbine’s blades through better process simulation, monitoring and control, improve defect identification with new methods of non-destructive testing (NDT) and introduce novel repair strategies in composites and coatings.

Wind turbines are already part of everyday European life and are an essential element of the strategy to meet the Green Deal targets. Wind turbine blade (WTB) size is steadily increasing with the largest new offshore blades >100 m in length. Composite blades are manufactured using resin infusion and coating processes. Even using modern manufacturing methods, these are subject to defects which result in re-work, scrap and repair.

 

 

The OPTIMAL project will integrate for the first-time different laser lithography technologies, quality monitoring systems and processes in one platform to improve the manufacturing of original structures, known as masters, needed for key-enabling replication techniques in optical, industrial, medical device fabrication.

LIMES Cluster flag

Many of the above projects have come together in a cluster, designed to support knowledge exchange. This cluster supports the dissemination and communication efforts of each project, ensuring a wider outreach for project outcomes.