Aerospace
We develop advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and functional components for aeronautical and space applications, optimizing the design, production, and validation of lightweight, complex, high-performance components.
Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Leading expertise in advanced metallic materials and sustainable manufacturing for industry.
We promote industrial sustainability through knowledge and innovation in new advanced metallic materials, as well as through the design and digitalization of metal additive manufacturing processes (PBF-LB) to produce highly efficient, functional, and defect-free products and components.
We develop digital technologies that enable smart manufacturing, including manufacturing strategies and monitoring systems for real-time quality control using artificial intelligence.
Industries we serve
We apply our expertise in metallic materials, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), PBF-LB additive manufacturing, and process monitoring to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges of high-demand industrial sectors.
Energy
We advance the development of materials and manufacturing processes for hydrogen generation and storage applications, as well as emerging energy technologies, improving the efficiency, durability, and sustainability of critical components.
Dual-Use Technologies
We develop solutions based on advanced materials and additive manufacturing for strategic sectors, including defence, where the highest levels of reliability, performance, and quality are required. Our capabilities integrate process monitoring, material characterization, and functional validation to ensure robust and dependable components.
Materials
We research into the performance and characterisation of materials and joints during manufacturing and service life in standard and extreme conditions.
PBF-LB
We design products for different industrial sectors and develop new materials, parameters and process methodology with state-of-the-art equipment in laser beam powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) and selective laser melting (SLM) technology, supported by our own digital monitoring and quality assurance solutions.
Projects and success stories
We obtain and develop knowledge and capabilities for application to practical, real-world challenges with the help of technology.
Assessment of additive manufacturing limits for eco-design optimization in heat exchangers
Optimization of the design and manufacturing of heat exchangers through metal additive manufacturing (LPBF), with the aim of developing lighter, more efficient, and more sustainable solutions. The project addresses the assessment and application of the real limits of the technology to drive eco-design strategies and improve the efficiency and viability of components manufactured for SAFRAN.
FORTEC - Formación en tecnologías de unión para la fabricación de componentes de las funciones battery box y door ring de vehículos eléctricos
Renault España lidera este innovador proyecto para la creación de un ecosistema industrial centrado en la fabricación de vehículos eléctricos y conectados aglutinando 31 iniciativas entorno a la descarbonización, la conectividad y la movilidad como servicio.
IRATI – Innovation in Materials for High-Temperature and Dual-Use Advanced Applications
The IRATI project develops new materials for applications operating under extreme conditions, improving their mechanical strength, thermal stability, and durability. Within the project, LORTEK leads the processing of new alloys using additive manufacturing technologies and contributes to their advanced characterization to validate their performance for demanding industrial applications.
HIPERION - Generation of knowledge and capabilities for new space technologies and future planetary missions
HIPERION promotes research in space technology and science to strengthen the sector weight in the Basque autonomous community. Based on high reliability and low weight standards, space research is taking the lead with applications in industry, energy, health and climate change. Solving engineering challenges while developing space technologies is promoting European competitiveness. This project tackles advanced manufacturing, materials, composites, coatings, control systems, avionics and optical path technologies.
ROLIAC - Robust and light AM components for military systems
ROLIAC enables lightweight military-grade part design and manufacture, leveraging additive manufacturing (AM) for EU defense. Key benefits include robust supply chains, lightweight high-performance components, and use of novel materials. ROLIAC focuses on generative design, rapid production, and robust quality control, demonstrated in ground, air, and space applications
ALENCO - Development of SLM process for precipitation-hardening alloys for high performance aeronautical components
Development of additive manufacturing for high performance materials, replacing nickel alloys in aeronautics. Objectives include obtaining dense parts by PBF-LB, applying specific heat treatments, adapting design with DfAM concepts, ensuring quality with monitoring, and validating parts with inspections. Additive Manufacturing solves problems associated with microfusion, simplifying processes and reducing rejects caused by deformation.
LIGHTBEE - Development of Lightweight Battery Carriers for EV Energy Units
The LightBEE project addresses a vital challenge: optimizing battery carrier design for manufacturability. Integrating key manufacturing technologies, it aims to create an advanced battery carrier with lightweight construction, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendly manufacturing, and enhanced crashworthiness. The goal is to overcome barriers in designing high added-value components, achieving a lighter, safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly carrier through the use of lightweight materials, multi-material solutions, and advanced joining techniques. This approach marks a significant step towards sustainable and efficient electric vehicles.
Advanced Equipment
We have a full range of singular technological infrastructures for advanced research, design and development of metal additive manufacturing projects.
- SMARTLAB laboratory, with a cell for a data-driven approach towards additive manufacturing processes, and integration of inspection and control systems. Samylabs Alba 300.
- Material characterisation laboratory: Granudrum, SEM, PC/Optical
- Advanced software for topology optimisation, design, simulation and preparation of manufacturing processes: Inspire, Optistruct, Tosca, 3D Experience, Magics, QuantAM, Sulis.
- Fully equipped laboratory for characterisation and testing of materials and welded joints - sample preparation, optical microscopy and SEM+EDS+EBSD, mechanical testing, corrosion tests, etc.
- Additive manufacturing cell: technology development based on a data-driven approach in additive manufacturing with Samylabs Alba 300 SLM machine.