BBT is part of the RIS3CAT strategic alliance to develop emerging 3D printing technologies

One month ago, the RIS3CAT call for resolving strategic R&I alliances for Catalonia was resolved. In this context, the BASE3D group, led by CIM UPC, has been created, with the participation of the BBT as project leader. BASE3D brings together research centers that enhance R&D in 3D printing and try to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) index - the scale used to measure the maturity of technology before it reaches the market-.Projects with a total investment of around € 3.7 million will be implemented.

Four specific projects dedicated to different additive manufacturing processes will be promoted:

• Llum3D, which is focused on studying 3D light related technologies for additive manufacturing (3D printing), with the aim of improving materials and their use for different applications. It is aimed, for example, at improving the powder materials for different applications, optimizing the simulation parameters of the printing process and creating new resins for 3D printing.
• Fuse3D, which aims to improve adhesion between layers of material and increase their strength, combine different materials when printing to obtain different surfaces and create higher geometries, among others. These milestones will include studies, characterization and optimization of printing materials and processes, and the definition of the mechanical properties of the product will be integrated into the process.
• Ink3D, focused on responding to the great technological challenges of printing by deposition of viscous materials at room temperature. The goal is getting better at making complex, multi-material parts, and designing more efficient printing systems. Prof. Maria-Pau Ginebra, Director of the BBT, leads this grouping project.
• Hybrid3D, which aims at the development, optimization and integration of different additive manufacturing technologies to obtain a new high quality hybrid (with different types of printing technologies) and multi-material manufacturing process. Simulations of the behavior of liquid and viscoelastic materials will be tested as possible components of the new technology. The software will be designed to handle the digital designs of pieces of different materials.

The program by Generalitat is part of the R&I strategy for smart specialization in Catalonia (RIS3CAT) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The idea of constituting these collaborative groups, or networks, is to foster the cooperation between leading research centers, to make better use of the knowledge they generate and to promote research and innovation, so that the results of their joint research reach the market and help increase the competitiveness of the economy. 

This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union within the framework of the ERDF Operational Program of Catalonia 2014-2020 with a grant of € 1,887,221.21 and the support of Secretaria d'Universitats i Recerca.