It will take place on Thursday, May 29th, from 9:15 AM to 1:30 PM, at the headquarters of the Foundation (c/ Llorens i Artigas 12). Lecture Hall of the Faculty of Mathematics and Statistics at UPC.
With the consolidation of plastic 3D printing in industry, metal emerges as the new frontier of additive manufacturing. CIM UPC facilitates this technological transition with its own technology, enabling SMEs to lead a paradigm shift in production. In this event, they will present their new, powerful 3D printing equipment, utilizing WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing), LW-DED (Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition), and LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) technologies, once again pushing the boundaries of manufacturing, 3D metal printing, and transforming vision into reality, layer by layer, with the strength and precision the future demands.
Additionally, prominent experts and companies will share their strategic vision, experiences, and real-world application cases.
Barcelona, May 13, 2025 — The CIM Foundation, also known as CIM UPC, an entity belonging to the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – BarcelonaTech (UPC), is organizing its “Metal 3D Day, New Equipment, New Capabilities,” where they will present their new, powerful equipment that will shape the future of the sector.
The event will take place on May 29th, from 9:15 AM to 1:30 PM, at the Foundation’s headquarters (c/ Llorens i Artigas 12), in the Lecture Hall of the Faculty of Mathematics and Statistics at UPC.
Currently, 3D metal printing is transforming industry and opening new opportunities for SMEs. CIM UPC leads and advances in the field of manufacturing through 3D metal printing technology, known for converting ideas and complex designs into real objects with high levels of strength and precision, anticipating and meeting future industry demands.
During this event, we will have the participation of prominent professionals and key experts in the sector, who will share their strategic vision, experiences, and real-world application cases of innovative technologies such as WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing), LW-DED (Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition), and LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion).
We will also be joined by leading companies such as MELTIO and SAMYLABS, who will present their additive manufacturing solutions using DED and LPBF technologies, respectively.
Event Agenda:
- 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM Registration
- 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Welcome. Dr. José María Cabrera (General Director, CIM UPC). Vice-Rector for Transfer, UPC
- 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: “3D Metal Printing, a New Frontier for SMEs.” Dr. Felip Fenollosa (R&D+i Director, CIM UPC).
- 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM: “WAAM, Arc Welding Transformed into 3D Printing.” Miguel Grande (R&D+i Researcher, CIM UPC).
- 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: MELTIO Presentation: “Additive Manufacturing for LW-DED”
- 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Coffee Break
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Success Stories in Additive Manufacturing with LW-DED Laser Technology. Dr. Pere Barriobero (R&D+i Researcher, CIM UPC).
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: SAMYLABS Presentation: “Facilitating Access to LPBF Metal Technologies”
- 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: “Semi-Direct 3D Metal Printing Systems: Opportunities and Examples.” Laura Calvo (Project Director, CIM UPC)
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Visit to CIM UPC facilities.
- 1:30 PM: Aperitif and Networking Session.
Event Registration Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jornada-metal-3d-nuevos-equipos-nuevas-capacidades-en-cim-upc-tickets-1353260682129?aff=oddtdtcreator
Metal, the New Frontier in Additive Manufacturing. CIM UPC Leads the Process with Technology that Creates High-Value Products and Removes Access Barriers.
With the consolidation of plastic 3D printing in industry, metal emerges as the new frontier of additive manufacturing. CIM UPC has recently made a significant investment in its facilities and equipment, with the goal of facilitating this technological transition and enabling SMEs to lead a productive paradigm shift by creating high-value products and eliminating access barriers (currently, the technology is characterized by high-cost equipment and closed market niches).
3D metal printing uses metal wire or powder that is melted by electric arc, laser, or electron beam to build objects layer by layer. It is an advanced technology used in various industries to create complex and customized metal parts with high precision. In this regard, the center currently offers research and advanced technology transfer in several printing methods. These include:
- Green part manufacturing: From the use of pastes (DIW), filaments, or pellets (FFF) to binder jetting, with subsequent processes of binder removal and consolidation at high temperatures.
- Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Technologies: Including electric arc (WAAM) and laser (LW-DED), with increasing impact in the industrial sector.
- Direct Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) Technologies.
“We push the boundaries of manufacturing, 3D metal printing, transforming vision into reality, layer by layer, with the strength and precision the future demands, developing our own technology,” says Dr. José María Cabrera, General Director.
Additive Manufacturing with Metals: A Territory Full of Possibilities, but with Great Challenges.
Metal additive manufacturing opens a territory full of transformative possibilities for industry and society. In recent years, it has revealed itself as a key tool to tackle crucial challenges:
- Sustainability: Creating materials, processes, and industrial products with a lower carbon footprint, using recycled resources, and promoting repair and remanufacturing for a circular economy.
- Energy Transition: Generating advanced metal components for electric mobility, catalysts, and hydrogen technology, utilizing complex geometries made possible by 3D printing.
- Emission Reduction: Lightening transport components through advanced design and engineering (topological and computational optimization), materialized with ultra-light geometries only feasible with 3D printing.
- Industrial Integration: Complementing traditional manufacturing methods (machining and casting) with additive manufacturing to increase product functionality, generating high added value and new markets.
- New Business Models: Promoting customization and 100% digital data flows (from design to production) in sectors such as healthcare, biomedicine, aerospace, automotive, construction, and many others.
To achieve these goals and generate complex and customized metal parts with high precision, CIM UPC provides:
- Expert Knowledge in Metal Additive Manufacturing: “We master all technologies (ISO/ASTM 52900) and know how to prioritize them based on the application,” says CIM UPC’s General Director.
- Advanced and Customized Technological Infrastructure: “We constantly renew our resources, even creating our own equipment to adapt additive manufacturing to the functional needs of products,” comments Dr. Cabrera.
- Comprehensive Testing and Validation Capabilities: “Within UPC, we have the resources to thoroughly characterize and test additively manufactured metal components, ensuring that the material and high-temperature process allow us to achieve the desired characteristics,” concludes Dr. Cabrera.
About CIM UPC
Leading 3D printing, CIM UPC’s mission is to transfer engineering knowledge and technology management, as well as provide tools for companies and professionals to create and improve their products and manufacturing processes. Committed to society and industry, CIM UPC serves its environment by advancing digital manufacturing and production technologies through training, technology transfer, and research.
Since its origins, CIM UPC has been known for its versatility in the activities it carries out. Some of the most relevant ones are:
- Pilot Plant, providing prototype and pre-series production services made by 3D printing and advanced machining, as well as various laboratories for testing with innovative Direct Ink Writing printers and other technologies for industrial projects, particularly for metal part manufacturing.
- Design and Production of Custom Advanced Manufacturing Equipment, enabling new production processes based on 3D printing.
- Open Innovation, carrying out national research projects, either individual or in collaboration (such as members of the XaRFA network—Reference Network for Additive Manufacturing in Catalonia—and European projects with international partners).
- Design, Manufacture, and Sale of Desktop 3D Printers for professionals and businesses (various models, derived from its spin-offs BCN3D and ARIDDITIVE).
CIM UPC was founded in 1990 and became a foundation of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – BarcelonaTech (UPC) in 2005. Since then, the entity, now celebrating its 35th Anniversary, has collaborated with other technological and research centers and leads the aforementioned XaRFA network, focused on advanced manufacturing. Finally, it develops innovative technological proposals and boosts applied research infrastructures to carry out projects in various technological fields.
More information:
CIM UPC: http://www.cimupc.org
Note: For further information about this press release, please contact Mar Borque.
Phone: 610011713.
Email: publicidad@marborqueasociados.es
Web: https://marborqueconsultoradecomunicacion.my.canva.site