GECAD and CIDEM, R&D units, have a partnership with CDRSP (a research center of Politécnico de Leiria) for a project in the field of advanced materials and manufacturing processes.

These projects focus on the study and development of new materials and manufacturing techniques, combined with intelligent automation and control systems.

Add.Compfiber, led by João Francisco Silva, Púria Esfandiari (CIDEM), and Ana Almeida (GECAD), aims to produce and incorporate thermoplastics into composite materials.

The research team is working with a company dedicated to the manufacture of transformed vans. Currently, the structure of these vehicles is made of composite material, with fibers and plastic, not recyclable. «The innovation of this project is related to the manufacture of large-scale pieces, using materials that can be fully recycled. In this first phase, the material will be applied to these vehicles, but there are no limits to this technology, and it can even be applied to cars or trucks' structure», explains the ISEP researcher Púria Esfandiari.

The project Metal.Bot, led by António Gonçalves Magalhães, Arnaldo Guedes Pinto and Lino Figueiredo, will develop solutions for metal additive manufacturing (3D printing).

«When we talk about 3D printing, we are usually talking about plastics. This project will allow the manufacture and 3D printing of large dimensions of metal parts with more resistance», says Puria.

In addition, it will be possible to create materials «with more geometric freedom” and will allow companies to increase production chains, reducing production time and costs.

«This research could be the source of new markets with innovative manufacturing concepts. It turns out to be a complement to existing technologies, idealizing greater autonomy throughout the process».

The projects run from April 2021 to August 2023 and integrate international entities.